Thai Binh Literature and Arts: 50 years of struggle and creativity

In 1970, when the entire Party, people, and army were concentrating their efforts on the resistance war against the US to save the country, the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts was established. Bearing in mind President Ho Chi Minh's teaching: "Culture and art are also a battlefront. You are soldiers on that battlefront," for over 50 years, regardless of the circumstances, the province's artists and writers have always upheld the spirit of solidarity, closely followed the vibrant realities of life, and used their pens and fervent patriotic hearts as sharp weapons on the ideological and cultural front, practically serving political tasks and making important contributions to the achievements of the country and homeland.

Artist Do Nhu Diem, a member of the fine arts branch in Thai Binh, is renowned for his many outstanding propaganda paintings.

Enthusiastic creative work

As one of the branches established at the same time as the Provincial Literature and Arts Association, the Fine Arts Branch currently has nearly 50 members, including 20 members of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association. Artist Hoang Quoc Viet, Head of the Fine Arts Branch, shared: "50 years since the reunification of the country is not a very long time, but it has witnessed many efforts by the initial generation of artists as well as the current generation of artists in the Branch. In 1975, the first provincial fine arts exhibition was organized with the theme 'Celebrating the Liberation of the South and the Reunification of the Country.' The exhibition brought together artists in the province who enthusiastically participated with a full range of genres and materials such as oil paint, pastel, silk, and propaganda paintings... Many artworks from the exhibition are preserved by the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. From here, the fine arts movement in the province has increasingly developed." As the country integrates into the global community, cultural needs are also increasing. Numerous exhibitions are being held both domestically and internationally, giving rise to a generation of young artists who dare to think, dare to act, and dare to dream. Many artists have confidently established their names in new lands. In particular, in 2003, the Thai Binh Young Artists Club was founded, actively nurturing a passion for art and providing a foundation for the development of quality works, while also recognizing many new faces entering the national art scene.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, President of the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts, informed: Before 1975, the Association's activities and the creative works of its members, such as essays, novels, poems, propaganda posters, music, and theatrical scripts, all focused on the major theme of praising revolutionary heroism, the tradition of unwavering resistance against foreign invaders, the "Excess Rice, Exceeding Military Targets" emulation movement, and labor and production in localities... to encourage and motivate the entire Party and people to mobilize all human and material resources for the struggle for national liberation and reunification. With the country at peace , unified, and entering the period of reform, promoting industrialization and modernization, the artists and writers have demonstrated a spirit of responsibility and civic duty, actively exploring, creating, and expanding the scope in all art forms. In the field of literature, alongside the strong development across almost all genres of poetry, short stories, novellas, essays, novels, etc., researchers in the fields of collecting, researching, translating, and folk art are diligently conducting fieldwork, meticulously gathering materials, and producing substantial works and publications on the traditional values of the province. Photographers and painters are innovating their styles and creative genres, approaching world photography and painting to both meet the aspirations of their profession and express their broad perspectives and concerns about contemporary photography and fine arts. Members of the theater, music, and dance artists' association work day and night composing and practicing, transforming their songs, voices, and talents into leading female and male roles, historical figures, and artistic images... to serve millions of viewers inside and outside the province. At the same time, artists from Thai Binh have organized numerous artistic performances to serve soldiers who are on guard day and night, protecting the sovereignty of the border, sea and islands, and also the soldiers on the beloved Truong Sa archipelago of our Fatherland...

Members of the theater, music, and dance branches have contributed to the success of many outstanding artistic programs serving the public.

Actively improve professional skills.

In parallel with the activities of its members, 50 years after the reunification of the country, the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts has done a good job of uniting, gathering, and promoting artistic creativity. In particular, emphasis has been placed on political and ideological education, providing information, and guiding creative work; linking the creative activities of 307 members in 8 specialized branches with the dissemination and implementation of the political tasks of the country and the province.

Regarding the training and professional development of members, Mr. Pham Tan Anh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts, shared: Through professional development activities for members such as inviting central specialized associations to train local branches, organizing seminars and discussions on issues of interest in the field of literature and art, organizing field trips for creative writing, comprehensive creative camps, exhibitions, and introductions of works... members of each specialized branch have in-depth knowledge, regularly update creative trends, and have the opportunity to exchange and learn from the experiences of members inside and outside the province and central associations. These training and professional development activities help members improve their level of awareness and artistic creativity, while also presenting the public with many valuable works in both content and artistry.

Currently, out of the 307 members of the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts, 151 are members of the central specialized associations in Thai Binh. Furthermore, every year, hundreds of artistic works by Thai Binh artists are honored at national and international competitions, contests, and exhibitions. This not only affirms the increasingly high quality of literary and artistic creation but also shows that this place is always fertile ground for nurturing, cultivating, and developing artistic talent and passion.