Hai Duong Literature: 50 Years of Renewal Along with the Nation

Over the past 50 years, Hai Duong's literature has steadily developed strongly, from its members and organization to its works and achievements.

Over the past 50 years, literature in Hai Duong has gradually developed strongly.

Continuing the legacy of generations of composers.

"Vietnam is a unified nation. North and South are one family; no imperialist power can divide that body. During the resistance war against the American imperialist invasion, the image of cadres from both North and South uniting, concentrating their intellect and strength to fight for national reunification, is a truth, a sentiment that will last forever, expressed through the story 'Two Regions of Fond Memories'."

These are the words printed on the cover of the novella "Footprints" by journalist Nguyen Thanh Cai, former Director of the Provincial Radio and Television Station and former Chairman of the Hai Duong Provincial Journalists Association. "Two Regions of Fond Memories" is a work he wrote as a tribute to the Southern cadres who once worked in the North during the resistance war.

Journalist Nguyen Thanh Cai they were the first generation of writers of the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts (archival photo)

To date, journalist Nguyen Thanh Cai has published 16 books, including titles such as "Village Ghost," "Where Heaven and Earth Meet," and "Hidden Corner"... His writing draws on reality, and each of his books reflects the spirit of the resistance wars. His stories always express his affection for the Southern cadres working in Hai Duong and the deep North-South solidarity during the resistance war against the US to save the country...

Ms. Nguyen Hai Yen, a teacher at Gia Loc Town Secondary School, is currently a member of the Vietnam Writers Association and Head of the Literature Department (Provincial Literature and Arts Association). She began writing in 2015, primarily in the essay genre. In 2016, she wrote her first short story, "A Realm of Humanity," on the theme of the post-war period, about how people let go of seemingly age-old resentments after the war.

She wrote many works related to the revolutionary war, but mainly focused on the post-war period, depicting the lives of people who endured immense suffering and loss, yet remained affectionate, loyal, and deeply in love with their homeland. Some notable works include "Waiting Ferry," "Soapberry Returning to the Field," "Lullaby of the Old Garden," "Candlegrass Hill," and "Green Hair, Rosy Cheeks, Red Lips"... Each story is about the life of a soldier, a soldier's wife, or a soldier's mother, imbued with sadness but also deeply warm and loving.

Throughout the revolutionary journey, writers from Hai Duong always immersed themselves in the struggle to defend the Fatherland, using their intellect to create literary and artistic works full of fighting spirit, contributing to the glorious victory of the nation. Overcoming countless difficulties during the period of the centrally planned economy and then the transition to a socialist-oriented market economy, these artists and writers accepted hardships and sacrificed many personal interests to dedicate themselves to the path of creative writing.

The development of literature in Hai Duong

The exhibition showcasing the literary and artistic achievements of Hai Duong 50 years after the country's reunification presents 72 representative publications and works.

Following the reunification of the country, in the context of the national literary and artistic scene, on January 4, 1978, the Hai Hung Provincial Association of Literature and Arts (now the Hai Duong Provincial Association of Literature and Arts) was established with 96 members working in various fields such as poetry, literature, theater, music , fine arts, architecture, and photography. To date, the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts has nearly 240 members.

Ms. Nguyen Hai Yen is currently a member of the Vietnam Writers Association and Head of the Literature Department (Provincial Association of Literature and Arts).

Literature in Hai Duong after the liberation of South Vietnam lacked novels, primarily consisting of essays and short stories. Some works were published in the weekly literary magazine Van Nghe and featured on the Voice of Vietnam radio station. After the establishment of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association in 1980, the association published the books "Nguyen Trai with Con Son," "Con Son Poetry" to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Nguyen Trai's birth, and "Hai Duong Revolutionary Memoirs" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Party.

In addition, several poetry collections were published, such as "Countryside Fragrance," "Village Land," and "Land of Source." In later years, the publishing house continued to publish the short story collection "The Lane of My Lover," the traditional opera script "Grapefruit Fragrance," and more than 10 other books.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Hai Duong gradually produced authors whose essays, novels, short stories, and poetry collections were published in literary circles and put into books, such as Nguyen Phuc Lai, Do Thi Hien Hoa, Nguyen Huu Phach, Ha Cu, Khuc Ha Linh, Nguyen Thanh Cai… Some authors were admitted as early members of the Vietnam Writers Association.

Over the past 50 years, the main theme in literature and art has remained patriotism and humanism, closely connected to the nation.

From the 2000s to the present, Hai Duong has seen the emergence of many authors in various genres such as prose, poetry, essays, novels, and short stories. The literary scene has developed extensively. Author Nguyen Thi Viet Nga has had approximately 20 novels, short stories, and poetry collections published and reprinted. Author Truong Thi Thuong Huyen has a fast-paced approach and writes quickly, producing many collections of short stories, essays, and novels in a relatively short time. Author Dinh Ngoc Hung has also had over 10 books published...

In the field of folk literature, many authors have conducted elaborate and in-depth research on folk tales, writing about villages, historical sites and scenic spots, traditional crafts, customs, famous people, Confucian scholars, and conducting in-depth research and study of the land and people of the Eastern region.

Over the past 50 years, Hai Duong's literary scene has gradually developed in terms of its workforce, organization, works, and achievements in various fields, making significant contributions to building, consolidating, and developing the spiritual life of the people. It has proven itself worthy as a force working in culture and ideology, contributing alongside the Party Committee and the people of the entire province to fulfilling political, cultural, and social tasks.

LINH LINH

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/van-hoc-hai-duong-50-nam-doi-moi-cung-dat-nuoc-409543.html