60 years of Hanoi Union of Literature and Arts: Continuing creativity in the new period

On the morning of October 29 in Hanoi, the Hanoi Union of Literature and Arts held a discussion “Literature and Arts of the Capital – 60 years of construction and development”, looking back at the journey of formation, outstanding achievements as well as the requirements set for the Capital’s literature and arts in the coming time. Over six decades, the Association has become a common home for many generations of writers and artists, contributing to creating works of art that reflect the life, history and changes of Hanoi.

The Association’s predecessor was formed in October 1966 with the name Hanoi Arts Association, including 5 chapters: Literature – Poetry, Fine Arts, Photography – Cinema, Theater and Music. From that initial foundation, the organization gradually developed into a general Arts Association and later expanded into the Hanoi Union of Literature and Arts with 9 specialized associations, covering many fields of creative writing and artistic research.

Speaking at the seminar, People’s Artist Tran Quoc Chiem, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Literature and Arts Association, emphasized the role of the Association in gathering literary and artistic forces, developing majors and affirming the position of the Capital’s literature and arts. During 60 years, the team of members has created many works of art to serve the public in Hanoi and the whole country, while maintaining research, theory, criticism, translation and promotion of works, contributing to fostering social spiritual life and accompanying the cause of building and developing the country. Currently, the Association has more than 4,500 members, of which 53 were awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize, 182 received the State Award for literature and art, 152 People’s Artists and 356 Meritorious Artists. Many other members were also awarded the titles of artisans and outstanding Capital Citizens. Hanoi People Magazine, an agency of the Union, continues to be a cultural and artistic forum, contributing to connecting specialized associations with readers and the public. Looking back at each field, it shows that the development of the Association is created from the unique marks of specialized associations. Poet Bui Viet My, Standing Vice President of the Hanoi Writers’ Association, recalled the first phase of the Association’s organization associated with the creative movement during the anti-American resistance war and the process of building the capital’s literary and artistic force. Over many generations, Hanoi writers have composed many works closely following the city’s life, reflecting the work of building and defending the Fatherland, contributing to the formation of a literary line bearing the capital’s mark. In the field of fine arts, artist Nguyen Van Chien looks back on the development process since 1966, when the Hanoi Fine Arts Association was born from a branch of the Hanoi Arts Association. Through many stages, the Capital’s fine arts gradually expanded its organization and professional activities, maintained field trips, creations, exhibitions and exchanges, creating conditions for many generations of artists to continue and develop Hanoi’s fine arts life.

Photography also leaves an important mark on the common journey. According to critical theorist Le Thi Hai Yen, member of the Executive Committee of the Hanoi Art Photography Association, generations of photography artists have contributed to recording historical milestones, urban appearance and human life in Hanoi. Over time, the Capital’s photography movement has increasingly developed, becoming an important part in preserving images and memories of the city. In the field of music, musician Ba ​​Mon, Chief of Office of the Hanoi Music Association, said that since its establishment in 1996, the Association has made many impressions in composition, performance, theoretical research and training. During 30 years of operation, the Association introduced nearly 2,000 new works, organized 415 talks, music information sessions and maintained the program “Love in Hanoi”, contributing to creating more space for works about the Capital to be composed and disseminated to the public. Hanoi cinema also recognizes the succession of many generations of artists. People’s Artist Nguyen Ha Bac, looking back at the Association’s development since its founding on November 12, 1995, said that the important value lies not only in the number of members but also in the ability to maintain the flow of creativity through generations. Meanwhile, in the field of theater, playwright Le Quy Hien emphasized the pioneering and unique identity of Hanoi theater and requested more attention to the “longevity” of works in today’s artistic life. Hanoi Dance Artists Association has also spent 34 years of operation with many milestones in collecting, restoring and promoting traditional dance of Thang Long – Hanoi. Performance, teaching and document preservation activities contribute to bringing traditional dance heritage closer to the public. Along with that, the Hanoi Folk Arts Association and the Hanoi Architects Association continue to expand the scope of research, creation and preservation of cultural values, living space and urban identity of the Capital. Besides the achievements, the discussion also frankly pointed out some shortcomings and requirements for innovation in the new period. According to People’s Artist Tran Quoc Chiem, literary and artistic activities need to continue to innovate leadership, direction and management thinking; Focus on discovering, training and fostering human resources, especially the next generation force. Creative campaigns, creative camps and work ordering activities need to be implemented more effectively, while creating conditions for writers and artists to have practical contact and search for new materials from life. Another task is to continue promoting the value of works created in the history of the struggle for national liberation, building and defending the Fatherland, while enhancing the promotion and development of reading culture. Literature and art are oriented to be more closely linked to education, cultural institutions and new creative spaces to expand access to the public, especially the younger generation. Digital technology and artificial intelligence are also identified as tools that need to be researched and applied appropriately to support the creation, storage, digitization and promotion of works. The expansion of the new approach is expected to help Hanoi’s literary and artistic values ​​continue to be preserved, spread more widely and adapt to changes in the public’s cultural reception habits. Based on six decades of tradition, the Hanoi Union of Literature and Arts and specialized associations are expected to continue to innovate activities, arousing the spirit of creativity and social responsibility of the artists. New contributions of literature and art will continue to contribute to promoting cultural values ​​and human strength in Hanoi and accompany the goal of building a civilized, civilized and modern capital.