Poetry in Vietnamese life

Photo caption — On the evening of February 22, 2024, the Son La Provincial Association of Literature and Arts organized the 22nd Vietnam Poetry Day with the theme "The Harmony of the Nation".

Poetry holds an important place in the flow of national history.

For generations, poetry has always played an indispensable role as spiritual nourishment in life. Poetry is the "voice of the soul," the "wind-filled sail" that gives wings to dreams and aspirations. This role is not only manifested in entertainment needs but also in the fields of learning, work, and combat, becoming a beautiful and distinctive cultural feature that is indispensable to the Vietnamese people.

From ancient times, even before the invention of writing, poetry was present in the lives of the Vietnamese people. Many folk songs and proverbs with rhymes and rhythms, easy to remember and learn, are still preserved and used in daily life today. With the advent of writing, poetry further developed, from classical and Tang Dynasty styles to Korean styles, six-eight verse, seven-six-eight verse, and then modern, free verse.

Poetry is the best, if not the only, method to both demonstrate intellectual talent and express the thoughts and feelings of the poet. Therefore, in ancient examinations, the questions focused solely on poetry analysis and poetry composition. The most frequently mentioned figures in later generations were either famous generals or poets, often combining both. Everyone knows the name of Grand Marshal Lý Thường Kiệt, whose fame, besides the Battle of Như Nguyệt River, is associated with his legendary poem "Nam Quốc Sơn Hà." The verses in Nguyễn Trãi's "Bình Ngô Đại Cáo" (Proclamation of Victory over the Wu) are even more renowned than the battles of Hàm Tử and Chi Lăng. And King Quang Trung - Nguyễn Huệ with his "Proclamation to Deploy the Army," President Ho Chi Minh with "Nguyên Tiêu" (Lantern Festival), and many other poems all demonstrate how skillfully ancient heroes used poetry as a weapon and the crucial role poetry played in the course of national history.

Famous authors from ancient times, from Le Thanh Tong, Truong Han Sieu, Mac Dinh Chi, Le Quy Don, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Nguyen Du, Ho Xuan Huong, Doan Thi Diem... to later modern poets such as Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chu Trinh, Tu Xuong, Nguyen Khuyen, Tan Da... and contemporary poets such as Nguyen Binh, Che Lan Vien, To Huu, Xuan Dieu, Han Mac Tu, Xuan Quynh, Luu Quang Vu..., all hold a long-lasting and respected place in the hearts of many Vietnamese people.

Poetry also serves as material for musicians to create timeless songs… Songs like “Boat and Sea” and “Love Poem at the End of Autumn,” composed by musician Phan Huynh Dieu from works by poet Xuan Quynh, have left a deep impression on the public. Musician Phu Quang also has many famous songs set to poetry, such as “The Sea of Nostalgia and You,” set to “Poem Written at the Sea” by poet Huu Thinh, “It’s Not Because of Autumn,” set to the poem “Quiet” by poet Giang Van, and “Oh, Hanoi Street ,” set to poetry by Phan Vu. “Truong Son East, Truong Son West” by musician Hoang Hiep is also set to the poem of the same name by poet Pham Tien Duat; the song “Light the Fire, My Dear” by musician Huy Du is set to the poem “The Squad of Vehicles Without Windshields,” also by poet Pham Tien Duat.

Poetry resonates in all circumstances, whether in loss, sorrow, joy, or hope. During the COVID-19 pandemic, poetry continued to be published in newspapers and magazines. Poetry collections were also regularly released. On social media, verses spread powerfully, possessing a rich and vibrant life. Not only poets who are members of the Vietnam Writers Association, but also students, intellectuals, and workers entered this world, using poetry to express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. In particular, there were poems, collections of poems, and even epic poems on the theme of COVID-19 prevention and control, speaking about the Vietnamese people, their resilience, their attitudes towards life, and their behavior in the face of the pandemic.

Poetry is born from the demands of life, and naturally, poetry returns to life. This proves that poetry occupies an extremely important place in the lives of Vietnamese people, and having a festival to honor poetry in this country, known for its "swords on the back and delicate pens in the hand," and one of the most poetry-loving nations in the world, is a unique and special feature.

Listen to "The Harmony of the Homeland"

With the theme "The Harmony of the Nation," the 22nd Vietnam Poetry Day, 2024, will take place on February 23rd and 24th, 2024, at Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

According to poet Nguyen Quang Thieu, President of the Vietnam Writers Association, choosing the theme "A Harmony of the Nation" with the spirit of national unity, the 22nd Vietnam Poetry Day aims to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). "For the first time, representatives of various cultural regions and poetic voices of different ethnic groups will converge at Thang Long Imperial Citadel on Vietnam Poetry Day. They will together raise their voices about the beauty of their respective nations, blending to create the unique identity of Vietnamese culture."

Accordingly, there will be a panel discussion titled "From the Poet's Character to His Identity" and a poetry night titled "The Harmony of the Homeland." The main content of the poetry night consists of four parts: Performances and readings of poems by authors from the Northern region; International poets participating in exchanges and readings; Performances and readings of poems by authors from the Central-Central Highlands and Southern regions; and Enduring Echoes. The works performed include narrative poems and epics: "Hundred Birds, Hundred Flowers" of the Tay ethnic group, "Giving Birth to the Earth and Water" of the Muong ethnic group, and "Xong Chu Xon Xao" (Farewell to the Beloved) of the Thai ethnic group. These are all masterpieces of poetry in the treasure trove of folk literature of the Vietnamese ethnic groups.

In addition, poems by 16 domestic and international authors will be read directly by the authors themselves or recited by poets and artists. Some of the poets whose works will be featured at the poetry night include: Nong Quoc Chan, Duong Khau Luong (Tay ethnic group), Lo Ngan Sun (Giay ethnic group), Po Sao Min (Pa Di ethnic group), Ly Huu Luong (Dao ethnic group), Kieu Mai Ly (Cham ethnic group), Thach Do Ni (Khmer ethnic group), Thai Hong (Hoa ethnic group), Bui Tuyet Mai (Muong ethnic group)...

The space for the 22nd Vietnam Poetry Day also has many notable highlights. The main events will take place along the sacred axis of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, stretching from Doan Mon Gate to the Hanoi Flagpole. In particular, the Lantern Festival poetry night, held on the full moon of the first lunar month, features the moon as the central theme in the artistic design of the space.

Specifically, the poetry gate features crescent moons curving along their full moon journey. Passing through the gate leads to a path decorated with stylized young leaves, featuring motifs from the traditional clothing of Vietnam's ethnic groups. Each leaf is inscribed with a beautiful poem, selected by the organizers. In total, there will be 54 poems, corresponding to the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Next is the poetry tree, topped with a half-moon, and below are 54 poetic riddles hanging on its branches. Audiences can participate in the quiz: recite a poem, correctly identify the author, and receive a prize. The final destination is the main stage – a full moon, concluding the crescent moon's journey from the poetry gate to the poetry night venue.

In addition, in the center of the sacred axis, this year the organizers are continuing to build the House of Memories. This will be a place to display memorabilia, artifacts, and works of 12 prominent poets, including the poet-President Ho Chi Minh and 11 ethnic minority poets who have won the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Art. Notably, the House of Memories is designed in the architectural style of a longhouse of the Central Highlands people.

Furthermore, the distinctive characteristics of various ethnic groups were also utilized to create the atmosphere of the poetry day. Specifically, the effect of brocade patterns was displayed on the main stage and throughout the poetry gate, poetry path, poetry tree, poetry cafe, and memory house. Experiencing the space with arranged rice wine jars, tossing the ball with auspicious poems for good luck at the beginning of the year… were also significant activities that created an atmosphere closely aligned with the theme of this year's Vietnamese Poetry Day.

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