Love for " fur coat" and "locomotive"
When I saw the feather pen and the train ink, it was a miracle in my eyes, Hung shared. It is that feeling that has sown the first seed for the journey of attachment to the calligraphy that has lasted for more than a decade.
In 2010, when he was a secondary school student, Tran Viet Hung started practicing calligraphy using simple tools: A hairpin and a clay foam. Not having the conditions to study properly, he learned how to learn how to write from the elderly, then returned home to practice each stroke of the word himself.
I practice writing Vietnamese characters using the Chinese script. At that time, it was very difficult! Without anyone's instructions, I can only persevere and guess whether I am right or wrong" - Mr. Hung confided.
The family did not support her. Many times he tried to give up. But the passion is still burning. There were times when he felt lost, not knowing whether he was doing right or wrong. But then the passion was as intense as a spark in the night and could not be extinguished.
When he set foot in Hanoi in 2016 to study at university, Hung was in contact with the water. Meeting like-minded teachers and brothers, he was inspired and had more skills. He actively participated in calligraphy clubs, then cherished the desire to bring that spirit back to his hometown. The dream came true when the Vietnamese Propaganda Club of Hai Duong City was established.
"What touched me was the people who used to ask for me to sign for them, now they are my members. They elected me as their head teacher when I was only 21 years old. I often jokingly say: In the past, "child" asked for teachers' words, now teachers are discussing the meaning with me. It was a memory that made me both proud and warm my heart" - the young man said.
However, Hung was not always well received. One memory that he will always keep in mind is New Year's Eve 2017, when he was writing a gift at Phuc Duyen Pagoda (Tu Ky District, Hai Duong). A man refused to ask for help just because he was too young. He said: " since you are so young, why ask for a license! People have to ask for the old man's name to get a fortune!".
At that time, I was heartbroken. But then I thought, just live well, just write with passion, and someone will understand. And indeed, a few years later, right there, the couple returned to ask for my words with respect".
breathing modern life into calligraphy
Tran Viet Hung said that calligraphy is not "art of the elderly" as prejudice. It is often forgotten that the poinsettia, the ancient doctors were very young grapes. Age does not define the depth of the soul or talent. The problem is that the mind and the virtue of the writer give the word.
After 16 years of working with calligraphy, Tran Viet Hung has achieved the title of National Artist at the age of 27, a milestone for persistent perseverance. But what he is most proud of is spreading a true love to the younger generation.
The method needs to " live" in the digital age. He opens direct and online calligraphy classes via Zoom and Google Meet. Many young people come to my class after stressful work hours as a way to " relax". He believes that calligraphy is not only art, but also a healing possession for the modern soul.
What Tran Viet Hung is most concerned about is bringing the Vietnamese calligraphy with the 28-alpha national language system to the world. Vietnamese culture is different from Chinese, Japanese or Korean. We can write Vietnamese and English in soft, flexible characters, not limited by square shapes like Chinese characters. It is an opportunity to reach out to the international community naturally while still keeping the Vietnamese soul - the young artist shared.
When asked what is the most urgent thing for Vietnamese calligraphy to "live" strongly, he replied without hesitation: "We need to apply calligraphy more in life and need to include it in education as a soft skill. The law is to practice the heart, to preserve the morality of our ancestors".
For young people struggling to find a direction, Tran Viet Hung advised: "Let's start with passion. If you have no experience, find a teacher. Thank you, thank you, I will become a human. Management is not just about writing, it is a journey to cultivate and beautify life".
