The person who "lit the fire" of art for soldiers

Late afternoon at the Hall of Division 5 (Military Region 7), Tay Ninh province, the singing resounded loudly. On the stage were the strong, decisive dance movements of "non-professional singers and actors". In the middle of that row of soldiers, with a small, agile figure, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trieu (born in 1993, residing in Binh Minh ward, Tay Ninh province) - a young choreographer who has been associated with the Division for more than ten years, was enthusiastically guiding the soldiers to practice the art program to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of Division 5 (November 23, 1965 - November 23, 2025).

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trieu (left cover) and the Division 5 team won first prize in the 2024 Military Region 7 Armed Forces' Skillful Civil Affairs Competition

The fate to become a "firelighter"

The relationship between Nguyen Thanh Trieu and Division 5 began in 2014, when he was a student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry. During a trip with the school delegation to the sister unit for cultural exchange, the young student first met the soldiers of Division 5. "At that time, I just thought it was a simple experience trip, but I did not expect it to become a relationship that made me stick with the unit until now" - Trieu recalled.

Trieu was born and raised in Tay Ninh - also where the 5th Division was stationed. His mother was a member of the Ninh Son Ward (now Binh Minh Ward) art troupe since 1971, and his father was an officer working at the Provincial Military Command. Perhaps that was why his love for art and pride in being a soldier were formed early in him.

In addition to his main job, he is also a collaborator and actor of the Tay Ninh Province Cultural and Artistic Center and a choreographer of the Tay Ninh Province Youth Learning and Activity Center. This foundation helps him become an enthusiastic artistic “fire-bearer” for the young soldiers of Division 5.

Nguyen Thanh Trieu and Professional Military Lieutenant Bui Thanh Tu with the First Prize Flag at the 2024 Lullaby and Folk Song Festival of the Military Region's Armed Forces

After many years of working with Division 5, Trieu realized: “Art in the military environment is not simply a performance, but also a way to arouse spirit, will, comradeship and team spirit. Art is the breath, the thread that binds people closer together, especially between soldiers and the people.”

Since then, he has become a companion, a nucleus connecting the collective spirit. As a young party member, he understands more clearly the value of Party spirit, discipline and solidarity in the army. Every time he hears about the tradition and heroic history of the unit, he feels more attached to the place that has become a deep memory in his journey of growing up.

Professional soldier Lieutenant Bui Thanh Tu - staff of the 5th Division Cultural House shared: "Every time there is a competition or a big program, Trieu always takes time to come back to the unit to set up, help everyone edit each movement, each costume. There were nights when we practiced until almost 11 o'clock, he was still cheerful, encouraging everyone to try their best."

Silent dedication, brilliant achievements

Although not wearing a soldier's uniform, Nguyen Thanh Trieu chose a special way to "enlist" - to contribute to the cultural and artistic movement of Division 5. He choreographed, staged, and instructed stage skills for soldiers, helping them to be more confident and professional when performing.

For him, "a soldier on stage is also a soldier on the training ground" - performance must have charisma, must demonstrate the true spirit of "Uncle Ho's soldiers".

Thanks to that dedication, the art movement of Division 5 has continuously achieved many outstanding achievements: B prize at the Mass Art Festival, Second prize at the 2023 Contest for Excellent Women's Union Cadres organized by Military Region 7; 3 First prizes at the contests of Skilled Mass Mobilization, Young Propagandists, Lullabies - Folk Songs in the Armed Forces of Military Region 7 in 2024 and many other awards at the provincial level such as B prize at the "Workers, Farmers, Soldiers" Mass Art Performance of Tay Ninh province in 2024.

Currently, he also designs and supports costumes for the art troupes of Military Region 9 and Military Region 7, contributing to improving the quality and professionalism of art programs.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trieu (white shirt) and the art troupe take a break after practice.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Hoai Quyet - Deputy Political Commissar of Division 5 commented: "Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trieu always lives and works responsibly and enthusiastically. Although he is not on the payroll, his presence has brought new vitality to the art movement of Division 5, helping young soldiers to be more confident, united, and love life more. Thanks to him, each activity and each program has its own color, both professional and full of soldierly spirit."

Ten years of attachment, although never a soldier, but in the hearts of the soldiers of Division 5, Nguyen Thanh Trieu is a true comrade - the one who "keeps the fire" of spirit. On stage, he is a choreographer and director. Behind the lights, he is the one who silently sows passion and pride in many generations of young soldiers. And perhaps because of that, his comrades affectionately call him by the affectionate name: "Soldier's art leader"./.

Dao Nhu - Hoang Danh

Source: https://baolongan.vn/nguoi-thap-lua-van-nghe-cho-linh-a206216.html