Journalist Le Xuan Son: Telling stories of life and people through memoirs and poetry

Three newly released works of essays and poems by journalist Le Xuan Son, former Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong Newspaper, titled “I have long been a city person”, “White clouds still fly” and “Like the water of the Me River”, are emotional stories that he has collected throughout his journey as a journalist.

Trilogy of works by journalist Le Xuan Son. (Photo: NHU Y)

During the launch of the trilogy, journalist Le Xuan Son shared that every time he writes an article, he always determines that this article will hold a certain position in a book, and that is why he always writes very fully.

During his journey as a journalist, he has experienced many lands, met many people, and gone through many cultures with different colors, and has accumulated a considerable amount of works that stand the test of time, and these are the first three works. "Currently, I am processing three more manuscripts, and the amount of documents and materials can still write many more books" - journalist Le Xuan Son said.

Journalist Le Xuan Son at the launch of his three works.

Journalist Le Xuan Son's works are considered to be a fusion of literature and journalism, as he writes with feelings through the lens of culture, history and filtered by his own emotions. Poet Nguyen Viet Chien commented that journalist Le Xuan Son's poetry is poetry but has a journalistic perspective. Le Xuan Son's poetry collection left me surprised. Le Xuan Son is a veteran journalist, his literary foundation is very solid. The poetry collection 'For a long time I have been a city person' gives me the impression that Le Xuan Son has created a close bridge between the journalist's perspective and the poet's heart" - poet Nguyen Viet Chien commented.

Many colleagues of journalist Le Xuan Son often wonder why, during his business trips with tight schedules, he still has enough time to deeply learn about the stories of people, culture, etc. at the destination, with very special feelings.

In response to those questions, journalist Le Xuan Son said that before each trip, he often spends time researching and reading a lot about the places he will visit, and from there he learns more and feels about the culture and people there in a very profound way.

That is why, every time he writes an article, journalist Le Xuan Son often "writes with a full hand", as he says, so that the editorial office can get the content as requested, but he will plan to put the original article in a certain position in a book, right from the beginning.

His writing style and working style have left a deep impression on his colleagues and on the following generations of journalists. Journalist Phung Cong Suong, Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong Newspaper, shared that he is proud that Tien Phong Newspaper has many leaders who are poets and writers. “In more than 20 years of working as a journalist, it is rare for anyone to launch 3 works at the same time after leaving office for 1 year like Mr. Le Xuan Son. That shows his careful preparation for his works,” – journalist Phung Cong Suong confided.

According to journalist Phung Cong Suong, the works of journalist Le Xuan Son can "touch" many people in the memories of childhood and hometown. "Reading the poetry collection 'I have been a city person for a long time', everyone can see their childhood in his poems. His poems are rich in images, sounds, and full of hometown character. His memoirs about the lands are also very impressive. Every time he travels and writes, he makes everyone admire him. Journalist Le Xuan Son learns very carefully about the people, land, and culture of the lands he passes through. His works are lessons in working spirit for future generations" - journalist Phung Cong Suong shared.

Many literary friends, colleagues... came to share joy with journalist Le Xuan Son.

Talking about the literary and journalistic qualities in the works of journalist Le Xuan Son, poet Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association, said that the qualities of a journalist gave him the ability to discover and select life details to bring into his works what is necessary and then establish a modern structure in each article.

“With two volumes of memoirs, travelogues and a collection of poems published at the same time, and Le Xuan Son himself being a true journalist, I still want to call him a poet because what he feels, what he writes, and importantly, what is contained in his words has revealed his soul” – poet Nguyen Quang Thieu shared.

From the perspective of a long-time close friend of journalist Le Xuan Son, Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen The Ky, Vice Chairman of the Central Council of Theory, Head of the Department of Theory and Criticism of Literature and Art, said that the fact that journalist Le Xuan Son simultaneously released to readers three works, "Like the Water of the River Me" (travel diary), "White Clouds Still Fly" (memoir, literary portrait) and more interestingly, the poetry collection "For a long time I have been a city person" really surprised and excited him.

Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen The Ky commented that if the first two works are a mixture of literary and journalistic qualities or journalistic and literary qualities, bearing the mark of the journalist Le Xuan Son, who is energetic, experienced, sharp, and emotional, then the poetry collection "For a long time I have been a city person" clearly shows a poet Le Xuan Son of the countryside, fields, customs, and habits of Thanh land, even though he has been in the city for a long time, his hometown spirit, love for his hometown, his longing for his homeland, his parents, his friends, and the poor life in the countryside.

“Three books, three genres, some published, some unpublished, quietly and humbly introduce to readers the journalist and poet Le Xuan Son from many angles, many levels of emotions, thoughts, sincerity, and a very lovable and precious humanity” - Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen The Ky shared.

Journalist Le Xuan Son talks about the trilogy with the guidance of journalist and poet Huu Viet.

The three works “Like the Water of the River of Me”, “White Clouds Still Fly” and the poetry collection “For a Long Time I’ve Been a City Person” are just the first doors inviting readers to enter the literary-journalistic world of journalist Le Xuan Son. Not spending his retirement time resting like many others, he spent all his time rearranging the “assets” throughout his journalistic career, but not packing them up and putting them away, but bringing them to readers, in a completely new look.

LINH KHANH. Photo: NHU Y

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nha-bao-le-xuan-son-ke-chuyen-doi-chuyen-nguoi-bang-but-ky-va-tho-post914276.html