Can Tho Literature and Arts: 50 years of preserving the soul of the land and human love

NDO - From resistance to integration, each work of Can Tho literature and art is an emotional slice, clearly depicting the sweet breath of the river region, and persistently continuing the source of national culture.

Attached to the land, accompanying the people

Since the beginning, on the alluvial fields of Cuu Long, Can Tho literature and art have sprouted and taken root deeply in people's hearts. Names such as Bui Huu Nghia, Phan Van Tri, Moc Quan Nguyen Trong Quyen, or musician Luu Huu Phuoc... are the first bricks, laying the foundation for the generous and humane literary and artistic tradition of the Tay Do land.

During the years of resistance, each verse, each tune of reformed opera, each song like "Hung thay Tam Vu", "Nguoi con gai dat do" became a call, urging generations of people to stand up to defend the country.

After the country’s reunification, in the joy of the great victory, writers, poets, musicians, painters… diligently reflected on the life of labor and the construction of the homeland, from the initial hardships to the current period of innovation. The literary works, poetry pages, and music have highlighted the character of Can Tho people: affectionate, dynamic, and creative.

Not only stopping at creation, the literature and art of this river region is also a bridge connecting the community, deeply attached to the people's lives. From the vibrant "self-directed and self-performed" mass literature and art movement after 1975, to the annual exhibitions and poetry nights, literature and art have penetrated every hamlet, lighting up joy, arousing love for the homeland and country.

Since becoming a centrally-governed city (2004), Can Tho has entered a new stage of development: cultural infrastructure has been invested in, professional associations have been strengthened, and theater, photography, fine arts, literature, and music have all made great strides. Competitions, creative camps, and thematic exhibitions have created opportunities for artists to exchange and disseminate their works to domestic and international audiences.

Delegates visit the Exhibition "Can Tho Literature and Arts - 50-year Journey".

And in the historic days of April, together with the whole country towards the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), the Can Tho Union of Literature and Arts Associations continues to carry out the mission of "cultural front" with many creative movements and new publications...

Highlights include the Exhibition “Can Tho Literature and Arts - 50-Year Journey” (April 2025), or participating in the Exhibition “Spring Epic 1975” organized by Can Tho City Library. Here, hundreds of works by veteran members are displayed in two themes: “The Great Victory of Spring 1975 - Historical Events” and “Can Tho - 21 Years of Fighting America, Saving the Country”.

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Many publications of professional associations participated in the Exhibition "Spring Epic 1975" organized by Can Tho City Library.

In the solemn exhibition space, each relic seems to quietly tell the great stories of a time. The moment standing in front of the Kim instrument of composer Dieu Huyen, we seem to hear the echo of the country's heart.

Talking about playwright Dieu Huyen - a talented son of Nhon Nghia homeland, we cannot forget his classic cai luong plays, such as: "Giot mau Lac Hong", "Tieng ho song Hau", "Tiem lai cuoc doi"... Those plays not only touched the hearts of audiences at that time, but also became unforgettable memories of the Southern cai luong stage.

Playwright Dieu Huyen (second from left) takes a souvenir photo with her siblings. (Photo: retaken)

If the sound of the zither evokes heroic songs, then in another corner of the exhibition, the portrait of the late painter To Du and his paintings thoughtfully tell about the glorious history of the homeland.

Painter To Du is one of the first members of Can Tho literature and art, the leading bird of "telling history through pictures". He has many works that are memorable, vivid and impressive, such as historical paintings "Newly liberated Can Tho Port", "Southern Liberation Day"... With his talent and sincere heart, painter To Du contributed to shaping the appearance of Can Tho fine arts: full of epic qualities, but still simple and sincere like this land.

Also here, artifacts such as paintings, statues, photos, propaganda equipment… evoke deep and proud memories. Especially for the elderly who lived, worked, and fought on the cultural front in the past.

Poetry pages written in the smoke and fire, music notes carefully composed under the dim moonlight, makeshift stages, resting places sometimes just a pile of straw, a hammock hung next to a buffalo pen... A memory revived, they told each other that today's achievements were not easy to achieve.

Delegates took souvenir photos with members of the Can Tho City Theater Association at the Exhibition "Can Tho Literature and Arts - 50-year Journey".

“Hardship, deprivation in every way... At that time, even a glass of lemonade to moisten the voice was a luxury. Missing one's family, especially missing one's children, one had to suppress one's feelings, without complaining,” Meritorious Artist Truc Linh shared emotionally.

Preserving the spirit of the countryside, creating with the new era

Over more than half a century, Can Tho literature and art have continuously grown along with the lifeblood of the city on the Hau River, from the land still smelling of bomb smoke after the liberation day to a modern urban area of ​​the Southwest. Each stage of development has left a strong mark on artists and writers, faithfully preserving the soul of the land and human love.

New publications of Can Tho City Writers Association.

The achievements are clearly recorded through 242 awards at all levels, including 10 international gold medals, 12 national gold medals, and many works that won high prizes in the topic "Studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology". The city has 18 Meritorious Artisans, 1 People's Artisan, 2 People's Artists and 9 Meritorious Artists.

Chairman of the Can Tho Literature and Arts Association, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Kien, said: From the Liberation Literature and Arts Association, established in 1966, to the present Union of Literature and Arts Associations, the Can Tho literary and artistic community has grown steadily. If in the early years there were only a few dozen members, now it has increased to 646 members, with 10 specialized associations, including 243 Central members and 250 Party members.

Chairman of the Union of Literature and Arts Associations of Can Tho City Nguyen Thanh Kien with the ancient song "The Arc of Return".

On the alluvial soil where the Hau Giang River flows quietly, Can Tho literature and art have devotedly and persistently cultivated literary fields. The persistence in launching collective books is an example.

Through that, many works have left a strong impression, such as the travelogue of writer Dang Hoang Tham, with profound notes on the beauty of nature and people in the South; the essay collection "Echoes of Memory" of writer Le Xuan, helping us recall historical years; and "Thi Da Love Story" of Dung Tran, with its simplicity about the daily life of people in the West.

From this movement, the Can Tho Writers Association has many promising young authors, typically Pham Khanh Duy, with 14 literary works, 3 research projects and hundreds of articles. His contributions have brightened Can Tho literature, while reflecting the process of innovation and strong integration in the context of changing reading culture.

Chairman of the Can Tho City Writers Association, writer Nguyen Trung Nguyen affirmed: “It can be said that we have done something that no other place has done. With four collective book launches, we have hundreds of new works, the quality of which is increasingly improving.”

In the face of difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Can Tho literature and art have continued to innovate and develop. When society had to distance itself, artists quickly adapted to new methods of performance and creation, from online exhibitions to social media promotion. Thanks to that, they continued to bring impressive works, contributing to maintaining community cohesion and spreading optimism and solidarity in society.

The Can Tho Music Association alone has had about 30 songs widely popularized through staged performances, recordings, videos and broadcasts on digital channels. One of the typical works is “Can Tho and then again” by musician The Long, which was chosen to open the city’s online opening ceremony for the new school year (2021).

Musician The Long with the work "Can Tho is happy again".

Talking about his song, Chairman of the Can Tho City Music Association, musician The Long confided: "Can Tho is happy again" is not just a song, but I want to convey my belief in the future, including my hometown Can Tho will escape the Covid-19 pandemic, life will return to peace. Through that, it is also a word of gratitude to those who have silently sacrificed in the fight against the epidemic."

Cai luong and Don ca tai tu - two precious heritages of the South, preserved and developed over the years, becoming bright spots in the cultural and artistic life, warming the hearts of Can Tho music lovers.

And now, with innovative programs such as “Da Co Cam Thi”, weekend amateur music activities at Cai Rang floating market, Ninh Kieu wharf…, Can Tho not only preserves the ancient spirit, but also breathes new life into indigenous culture, connecting art with tourism, bringing the soul of the countryside into modern life.

Regular art program "Da Co Cam Thi" at Tay Do Theater.

“Cai luong may rise and fall with the times, but the love of the audience for the sweet vọng cổ melodies has never waned. As for the audience, we continue to sing and contribute,” Meritorious Artist Kieu Nga expressed her passion.

The silent notes, the heartfelt writings, all create a progressive, humane Can Tho, filled with love for the land and people. And there are creations, whether simple or monumental, all imbued with the love for the homeland, aiming at the common goal: to preserve and spread the cultural identity of Can Tho in the flow of contemporary Vietnamese culture.

More than half a century, a journey of maturity. Although reality is constantly changing, there are still concerns, but each person is still loyal. Because for them, keeping the profession, sticking to the profession is not only to make a living, but also a mission to preserve the soul of the Tay Do land, cultivating beautiful values ​​for future generations.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/van-hoc-nghe-thuat-can-tho-50-nam-gin-giu-hon-dat-tinh-nguoi-post876335.html