HCM CityQue Tran emotionally remembered her father - "commander of ancient opera" Thanh Tong - when receiving the title of People's Artist at the age of 43.
Among the 25 artists in Ho Chi Minh City awarded People's Artist, Que Tran is the youngest. Her father - artist Thanh Tong (1948-2016) - received this title at the age of 61.
At the ceremony organized by the Department of Culture and Sports on the evening of March 28 to honor this year's People's Artist and Meritorious Artist winners, Que Tran arrived early and spent time walking around the portrait photo exhibition. Featured artists on the City Theater campus. Pausing for a long time next to her portrait next to images of seniors like Thanh Kim Hue, Trong Phuc, and Que Tran cried, "Maybe my father is happy for me."
Growing up in the Bau Thang - Minh To troupe, the oldest ancient opera family in the South, from a young age, Que Tran was taught by her father to love ancient songs. At the age of nine, after receiving instruction at the Bach Long troupe, she was taken by artist Thanh Tong to perform on many professional stages. Step by step in her career, thanks to her father's guidance, Que Tran became attached to the stage, had many famous roles, and won a gold medal at the Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong award at the age of 18. She is remembered by the audience through Many roles left their mark, such as: Nga (Song of incense), Phoenix (The eye of time), Princess Thien Kieu (Apricot white).
Que Tran is one of the artists who received the title of People's Artist at a young age. Image: Mai Nhat
The shock of her father's sudden death in 2016 left Que Tran confused and disoriented for a long time. The actor said there were times when he couldn't accept the truth and wanted to quit singing because he no longer had any spiritual support. “When I feel weak and look at my father's portrait, I remember his advice: Never stop striving, don't give up. I am determined to pursue singing for the rest of my life to make my father happy and also to be worthy of the name of the descendants of the Minh To - Thanh Tong group," the artist said.
After nearly 30 years of performing, Que Tran does not strive for achievements or medals, she only sings to satisfy her passion. “Recently, Cai Luong has shown signs of revival. When I perform, I witness many stages that are always lit, every performance is full of audiences," she said.
At the ceremony, Que Tran performed an excerpt from "She sings", the scene where actress Cam Thanh takes care of the interpreter Liem (Vo Minh Lam). Video: Mai Nhat
At the honor ceremony, the artists joined in the joy of receiving the title. Previously, many elderly people with weak health could not attend the award ceremony of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Hanoi in early March.
Sitting in a wheelchair at the ceremony, artist Hung Minh said that becoming a People's Artist was a great consolation to him in the face of a difficult life and illness at the age of 94. Nearly a lifetime of dedication to Cai Luong theater is a Once a famous and beautiful man, recently he "went to the hospital every day". "I want to dedicate this title to my wife, who has sympathized with the same suffering for so long," Hung Minh said.
Hung Minh in a wheelchair received the title of People's Artist. Video: Mai Nhat
Thanh Dien is the only person to go on stage twice to receive the title of People's Artist - for himself and for his wife, artist Thanh Kim Hue (1954 - 2021). Her legs were shaking and she had to ask someone to help her onto the stage. The Cai Luong artist was emotional when receiving a congratulatory bouquet of flowers from the city's leaders. He wished his wife was still by his side to hold her hand on the happy day. Nearly three years after Thanh Kim Hue passed away from cancer, not a day passed when he felt less empty because he missed her.
Artists Thanh Dien (middle), Trinh Kim Chi (right) at the honor ceremony. Image: Mai Nhat
Speaking at the honor ceremony, Mr. Phan Van Mai - Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City - said he was proud and grateful to the artists for their contributions. He assessed that the title is a noble form of honor from the state to those who wholeheartedly and wholeheartedly work for art, sending faith to artists to continue to innovate and create, helping national culture reach further.
People's Artist is the highest title awarded by the State to individuals working in the field of culture and art. The State organized review rounds in 1984, 1988, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019. People awarded the title of People's Artist must have at least 20 years of experience, and be awarded at least two gold prizes or one gold prize and two silver prizes at national, regional or international festivals, art shows and central literary and artistic associations since being awarded Meritorious Artist. In recent years, the consideration of People's Artists and Meritorious Artists has been spread evenly across the fields of theater, music, cinema, and dance, helping to evaluate the entire contribution of individuals working in the field. culture and arts.
Mai Nhat
