The "unquenchable flames"

I met the author Huynh Nguyen (real name Nguyen Van Tinh) on a sunny afternoon in May. 85 years old - the age when people seek peace and quiet. However, in a small room covered with books and memories - the mark of a life of dedication, he still sits there, diligently working on the pages. He smiles, his eyes shining with intelligence and affection: "Literature to me is my breath, my flesh and blood. I write because I cannot help but write", he shared. Although a former teacher, literature has taken root in him early like a destiny. From the land of Lai Chau, which is attached to his flesh and blood, he has written works rich in depth and emotion. Returning to the old Muong brings readers back to dear memories, while Love story of a land and the fire of Pu Ta Leng depicts the identity and aspirations of a majestic land. In particular, Sunset Fire - a collection of poems like the quiet confession of an experienced person. Each verse, each line of writing he wrote in his old age was no longer noisy, and did not seek to be ostentatious with flowery language. It was the quiet voice of the heart, the deep contemplation of a life that had experienced many vicissitudes, losses and loves. It was the steadfast love for Lai Chau - the land that left his footprints and entrusted his whole heart to - that became the endless source that nurtured Huynh Nguyen's writings. So today, even though his hands were shaking and his body was sagging under the weight of time, he still persistently plowed the field of words, continuing to write stories and endless pages of poetry about a beautiful Lai Chau, rich in affection.

Normally, when old age knocks on the door, people often wish to rest. However, for artists like photographer and folk culture collector Lo Van Chien, it is the "harvest season" of creativity. At the age of over 80, he still tirelessly travels to remote villages, carrying his camera as a companion, to record the beauty of Lai Chau's people and nature. His love for ethnic culture has been nurtured since his working years, when he held the position of leader of the old Phong Tho district. The days of going to the grassroots, living close to the people, eating and living with them have urged him to learn, preserve and pass on traditional cultural values. To do that, he does not mind the difficult roads, going to each village, meeting with elders and shamans to learn and persuade them to share their valuable knowledge.

Photographer and folk culture collector Lo Van Chien is passionate about cultural research.

As a multi-talented artist, he is not only passionate about photography but also passionate about composing poetry and researching folk culture. He is the author of many valuable works such as "Then of the Pu Na people in Lai Chau", " Culinary culture of the Pu Na people"... and emotional poetry collections such as Spring on the border. In the field of photography, he has made his mark with many artistic works imbued with identity, including outstanding awards such as Sac mau cac da Lai Chau. Currently, he is a member of the Lai Chau Provincial Literature and Arts Association, the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists and the Vietnam Folk Culture Association - a testament to a lifetime of steadfast dedication to the culture of his homeland.

Ms. Phung Thi Hai Yen - Vice President of Lai Chau Literature and Arts Association shared: "Besides the young, energetic and promising artists, the elderly artists are the "big trees" who have contributed significantly to creating the appearance of Lai Chau province's literature and arts today. With their knowledge and persistent contributions over many decades, they have laid a solid foundation for the local culture and arts. In the past time, the Association has organized visits, encouraged the spirit, created conditions for artists to continue participating in creative camps, publish works, organize seminars, exhibitions... At the same time, we also coordinate with media agencies to spread the value of works to the public, especially the younger generation. For elderly artists, creating is not only a passion but also a way to show gratitude for life, preserve national memories and inspire. We always cherish and are proud of those "unquenchable flames".

The works of the late afternoon are often no longer noisy, not intended to resonate, but like the whisper of time - slow but profound. It can be a short story written on a cold night, a photo taken along the roads, or a poem sent to a deceased friend. It is undeniable that there are barriers: health, age, loneliness, generation gap, even the indifference of young people... All can make an old artist falter. But above all is the will to live, the desire to not give up. With those "unquenchable flames", creation is the breath, the thread connecting with the world and the proof that they are still useful to life. Not only are they active members of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association, many of them are also veteran collaborators of local press agencies, contributing to spreading cultural values with their own experiences and depth of knowledge. What they need is not praise, but listening and sharing. So that the works do not fall into oblivion, but become part of cultural memory. Because in that silence, they are silently preserving the soul of Vietnamese art.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/van-hoa/nhung-ngon-lua-khong-tat-637330