Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Lan Cuong - a lifetime of wandering with archaeology and music - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television Station

Associate Professor, Doctor, musician Nguyen Lan Cuong passed away at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Vietnam National University, Hanoi , at the age of 84. He passed away after a long battle with late-stage stomach cancer.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Lan Cuong passed away at the age of 84.

Associate Professor, Doctor, musician Nguyen Lan Cuong was born in 1941, the fourth child in the famous Nguyen Lan family, full of tradition of academic achievements and contributions to the country. He is the son of the late People's Teacher, Professor Nguyen Lan - a teacher and erudite scholar.

His siblings are also leading experts in many fields, famous as Professor Nguyen Lan Dung, Professor Nguyen Lan Hung, Musician Nguyen Lan Tuat...

He once shared a unique trait of his family: “The interesting thing is that in the Nguyen Lan family, all the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren… if they are male, have the word Lan after their last name. When all are gathered together, my extended family has about 80 people, forming a very special community.”

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Lan Cuong is the fourth child in the famous Nguyen Lan family, full of tradition of academic achievements and contributions to the country.

Love for paleoanthropology since student days

Although he had artistic talent since childhood, he chose to study science , as his father had directed. At that time, his family already had an older brother (musician Nguyen Lan Tuat) pursuing art.

Obeying his father, he took the entrance exam to the Biology Department of Hanoi University. However, his passion for the stage still burned brightly. During his first year of university, student Nguyen Lan Cuong secretly took part in the audition and was accepted into a drama team of 15 people (including his friend who would later become People's Artist Trong Khoi).

This drama troupe belonged to the art troupe of the Ministry of Culture, and was sent to the Soviet Union to study for 5 years. It seemed like a golden opportunity had opened up, leading him to turn completely to the path of professional art. However, fate arranged a different path.

When it was time to leave for the Soviet Union, the drama troupe had to stay behind. Only when this opportunity did not materialize did Nguyen Lan Cuong "agree" to return to university. From then on, he devoted his entire life to science, especially the dusty but meaningful field of paleoanthropology.

That initial somewhat "resigned" choice made him a leading expert, leaving behind important achievements for the field of paleoanthropology in Vietnam. He is the General Secretary of the Vietnam Archaeological Association and the head of many national-level projects. His research focuses on "following the traces" of our ancestors through remains, restoring and repairing famous remains, including four flesh bodies at Dau, Tieu Son, and Phat Tich pagodas...

His remarkable achievement in his scientific career is the title awarded by the Vietnam Record Organization. The person who researched the most ancient Vietnamese remains: 1,093 remains. In his last days, he still kept his passion, riding his motorbike at a speed of 50-55km to archaeological excavation sites around Hanoi.

In a recent interview with the press, he was still excited about the upcoming release of the book. Tracing the ancient tombs In a vivid storytelling style, share about the journey to find the tomb of Princess Ly Kieu Oanh or other majestic ancient tombs.

Be yourself while drifting with music

Although pursuing a scientific career, Nguyen Lan Cuong’s passion for music never died. He began studying music at the age of 10 in China, taught by great names such as musician Pham Tuyen and teacher Nguyen Huu Hieu – the first person to conduct a choir in Vietnam.

Returning home, he soon demonstrated his conducting talent when he was in charge of orchestras and choirs at Ly Thuong Kiet School, where his friend, who would later become famous musician Phu Quang, lived.

In 1960, when he was only 19 years old, he had his first famous compositions: Songs Muong singing and the choir "Singing on a wooden raft", both won prizes in competitions for students in Hanoi.

Over the next 60 years, along with important scientific research, he composed nearly 100 musical works, including choral works and songs. He held many important positions in music, literature and art associations and was the conductor of the Hanoi Harmony Choir.

After the dusty, tiring journey associated with research trips on ancient human remains, returning to Hanoi, donning a tailcoat, holding chopsticks and going on stage to dance to choirs, musician Nguyen Lan Cuong said that was the moment he could be himself.

He composed nearly 100 musical works.

Besides the emotional songs about soldiers and history such as The General of the People's Heart, Come Back, Song of the Island Soldiers, After the Oath, Feelings of the Imperial City, he also has many popular children's songs: My Doll, Stop at Red Light, Only Go at Green Light, What Job Do You Like to Do?, We Celebrate Dien Bien's 60 Flower Seasons...

"My heart is always devoted to children. For me, writing for children has never been easy. I have to enter their world and speak their language because they are very innocent and fair. The songs have to be appropriate and good for them to sing." musician shared.

Musician Nguyen Lan Cuong modestly shared that he thinks he is "just a small pebble" in the country's massive mountain of musical works. He also plans to complete a symphony on a historical theme. Nguyen Trai in the years post 80 mine…

In addition to his two main fields of paleoanthropology and music, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Lan Cuong also has talent in a third field: painting. He started oil painting in 1962. He also uniquely combines this talent into his own research work.

The book What does the skeleton tell you? is proof, with 320 illustrations of human skeletons meticulously drawn by his own hand. He talks about the fascinating work of drawing bones, using tiny black dots and taking about 4 hours for each detailed drawing.

Private life, strong support

Despite his illustrious career, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Lan Cuong's private life is quite private. He got married and had children quite late, starting a family at the age of 41 (in 1982). His wife is a solid support, taking care of the house and raising the children, because he often goes on archaeological trips everywhere.

His first daughter was born on September 2, 1982 and was given the unique name Hoa Cuong by the couple. She currently lives with her parents. Her son Nguyen Lan Chuong majored in English, finance and banking, and is currently teaching and working as a programmer in Hanoi. He once jokingly said that although he did not pursue life sciences or music like his father, uncles, or aunts, his son still carries the intellectual blood of his family.

During his illness, he was very sad because he still had many unfinished projects in both science and art. (Photo: Vietnamnet)

In the last months of his life, he discovered that he had terminal stomach cancer. He had lost weight but thought it was normal due to overwork. When he went to the doctor, the bad news came. Because the disease was in the late stages, chemotherapy or radiotherapy could not be applied, so he was treated with expensive targeted therapy.

During his illness, he was sad because he had many unfinished projects in both science and art. However, he still maintained an optimistic and humorous spirit. "I still jokingly tell my students that in the other world, I will still make music, teach, and do archaeology." he shared with Vietnamnet.

The passing of Associate Professor, Doctor, musician Nguyen Lan Cuong is a great loss to the science, arts and education of Vietnam. He was the embodiment of passion and dedication, a testament to the fact that people can excel in many seemingly different fields. His great legacy and admirable personality will forever be a source of inspiration for future generations.

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Source: https://baolangson.vn/pgs-ts-nguyen-lan-cuong-ca-cuoc-doi-rong-ruoi-voi-khao-co-am-nhac-5046234.html