Issues and prospects for literary development

This is the second conference in a series of three national conferences, bringing together hundreds of writers, poets, and researchers from all over the country. The event marks a 50-year journey of Vietnamese literature after the country's reunification, with many issues to look back on and orient for the future.

The workshop in Da Nang took place in a frank and open atmosphere. Attending the workshop were writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association; many writers, researchers, literary critics, and prominent writers of many generations.

Issues and development trends of Vietnamese literature from 1975 to present

At the workshop, writer Nguyen Binh Phuong, Vice President of the Vietnam Writers Association , presented the introduction with the topic: "Issues and development trends of Vietnamese literature after 1975 to the present", emphasizing: "In the history of the formation of a nation's culture, 50 years is not a long period of time. But in relation to literary periods, 50 years is quite significant, because after all, it is half a century. Half a century in an era of rapid development like now, that will be a period of time that can solve many important problems, even vital for humans".

Conference summarizing 50 years of Vietnamese literature after 1975: Issues and prospects for literary development -0 — Writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association, along with many writers, researchers, literary critics, and prominent writers of many generations at the Conference.

We can all agree that literature and art are part of the character and appearance of the national soul. Life changes, the human soul changes, literature also obviously changes. When the era changes, literature also changes.

It can be affirmed that over the past half century, from 1975 until today, our nation has gone through many paths and many levels of awareness to develop. Obviously, the period since the Fatherland was unified compared to the period when it was still divided and immersed in war, there have been significant changes and differences, both from individual awareness to the whole community.

So how is literature over the past 50 years? Is it different from literature before 1975? In what ways is it different? Is it better or worse, or just plain different? This is the main question that led to the Writers' Association organizing three conferences in the North, Central and South of the country. The first conference was held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 16. And the conference in Da Nang is the second. The third will be held in Hanoi in early October.

And at today's conference, the Organizing Committee wishes to frankly dissect, analyze, and evaluate the problems of literature over the past 50 years, in terms of stature, size, and appearance. We will look at the strengths and achievements that literature has achieved over the past 50 years, and at the same time frankly acknowledge the limitations, weaknesses, and problems that literature has encountered in recent times.

Poet Thanh Thao shared that Vietnamese literature is entering a period of international integration, requiring writers to boldly innovate artistic thinking while maintaining the core of national identity.

At the conference, many opinions agreed that literature and art are the essence and appearance of the national soul. Every change in life, every new page of history leaves its mark on literature. If the period before 1975 was associated with the war for independence, then the past 50 years have been a period of national unification, innovation, and integration, with many historical turning points.

The half-century of literature after 1975 has created a large group of writers and poets, many of whose works reflect the process of national construction and innovation, portraying human life in peace. Literature also contributes to healing the wounds of war, fostering a spirit of humanity and national harmony.

However, in addition to achievements, many opinions also frankly pointed out limitations. Some researchers said that: Literature in the past 50 years has not really created works of great stature. There is still a lack of diversity, a lack of strong and clear trends. There are not many prominent figures and excellent works to affirm international position. Some opinions say that literature is "distant from life", not closely following the burning issues of society, not delving into the spiritual tragedies, the pains and cracks of the post-war community.

“Social responsibility and international integration – two indispensable requirements of literature in the globalization era.”

The workshop raised the question: Has literature over the past 50 years truly fostered national spirit, awakened conscience, contributed to healing and building a spirit of harmony and reconciliation? Has literature helped the cultural and spiritual life of the people in a turbulent period? On a broader scale, has literature protected and enriched traditional cultural identity? Has it helped people to be more steadfast in the face of the storms of the globalization era?

According to Master of Literature, poet Mai Van Hoan: education needs innovation, literature must return to its original mission: serving people, liberating people from darkness, moving towards goodness. This is both the responsibility and the unchanging aspiration of literature.

In the context of globalization, the issue of integration is emphasized. Writer Hoang Thuy Anh believes that, in order to develop, Vietnamese literature cannot stand outside the international flow. There needs to be works that are capable of exchanging, debating and affirming Vietnamese identity before international friends. However, integration does not mean dissolution. Vietnamese literature must maintain its core identity, while at the same time innovating its form, expanding its topics and improving its quality to keep pace with the world.

Representing the young generation of writers, with the trend of readers facing the AI challenge according to writer Hoang Thuy Anh, in the past, the role of readers was to passively absorb information and perceive works. Today, this role has changed significantly. With the development of technology, readers are both consumers and creators. They read, then write reviews, create content related to the work and participate in the process of spreading the value of that work. This innovation has made the literary space more multifaceted and dynamic, creating favorable conditions for connecting literature with the public. Therefore, reading in the digital age requires readers to do more than just receive information. They need to respect the author, maintain a spirit of dialogue and take responsibility when sharing or commenting on the work...

According to the Organizing Committee, the Conference in Da Nang not only summarizes 50 years of literature but also opens up new directions. Delegates all agreed that, for Vietnamese literature to develop to its full potential: It is necessary to encourage creativity on the basis of national identity. Innovate criticism methods, attach importance to theory to accompany creation. Expand international exchanges, bring Vietnamese literature to the world.

Associate Professor - Doctor Dinh Tri Dung, Permanent Vice President of the Nghe An Literature and Arts Association, said: If Vietnamese literature wants to step out into the world, it must dare to delve into reality, into the tragedies and aspirations of people today, and cannot just stop at superficial reflections. Over the past half century, Vietnamese literature after 1975 has accompanied the nation, reflecting great changes, but also has many limitations. This conference in Da Nang is not only an opportunity to look back, but also a reminder of the responsibility of writers to society.

Dr. and critic Tran Huyen Sam expressed that the theme of the conference was "Issues and prospects for literary development", the most important thing is to connect literature and readers in the digital age. Another challenge is the change in public reception habits. In the digital age, readers can access countless sources of information, but are also easily influenced by the flow of hybrid, unselective culture. Therefore, the responsibility of literature is even greater: how to retain readers with true value, with the power of words and ideas. At the same time, writers must also take advantage of technology, electronic publishing, and social networks to effectively promote their works, improving their competitiveness with international literature.

The organizers need to emphasize the spirit of “honesty and respect for differences”, in order to build a literature that is both rich in identity and capable of integrating and contributing to human culture. Art, all art forms were born to serve people, to solve human stories. “Therefore, when talking about literature, we are first of all talking about its value in the spiritual life of the community, in nurturing the flow of national culture, in creating a path towards human goodness”, critic Tran Huyen Sam added.

Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association Nguyen Quang Thieu emphasized: “Literature is the flow of the national soul. We need to listen to the voices of the past, but more importantly, create new values for the future, so that literature can truly accompany the development of the country. In particular, we need to focus on nurturing the young generation of writers, creating conditions for them to boldly innovate, expand international cooperation to bring Vietnamese literature to the world; at the same time, apply digital technology to spread works to the public. These are considered fundamental solutions to help Vietnamese literature continue to affirm its position in the context of globalization.”

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Chuyen-dong-van-hoa/-nhung-van-de-dat-ra-va-trien-vong-phat-trien-van-hoc-i782555/