This is also an opportunity for poet Murad Sudani - Chairman of the Palestinian Writers Association to exchange literature in Vietnam and a rare time for domestic readers to have the opportunity to directly approach contemporary Palestinian poetry, listen to the sharing of a poet who lived and composed in the context of war and loss but constantly nurtured faith in people and peace.
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers' Association - Trinh Bich Ngan emphasized that poetry has a special power in connecting people. From the actual trips of Vietnamese artists to Palestine in May 2023, many compositions have been born, notably the poetry collection "Under the olive bong" by poet Nguyen Quang Thieu. Those verses are not only a record of personal emotions, but also a deep sympathy for the fate of a nation that is suffering a lot of pain.
Within the framework of the exchange, two newly released poetry collections became the focus of attention: "Under the olive Ball" by Nguyen Quang Thieu and "The Stone of Murad" by Murad Sudani. One comes from Vietnam, one from Palestine, but the two meet in one of their deepest commonalities: The pain of people in war and the desire to live, the desire for peace. Their poetry speaks out in a tragic voice but is not tragic or fierce but is still humane, like the common heartbeat of humanity.
Poet Nguyen Quang Thieu - Chairman of the Vietnam Writers' Association, shared that his trip to Palestine left him with endless hauntings. That is the image of olive trees holding their roots to the barren soil, the eyes of children in the smoke of bombs, the people who live in loss but still keep faith. Those experiences have become the material for poetry, so that the voice of Vietnam can blend with the voice of Palestine in the journey of fighting for peace.
In addition to the two poetry collections, the meeting also introduced many compositions written for Palestine by Vietnamese poets such as "Olyve Heart" (Nguyen Thanh Nga), "Bad's Dream" (Tran Thanh Binh), "Palestinian Heritage", "Cafe & Blood" (Trinh Bich Ngan), "I hoi", "The Key" (Vietnam Right)... Each poem is a slice of emotion, sowing into the audience the confusion of the consciousness in the face of human reality during war.
In particular, the poem "Baby's Dream" by Tran Thanh Binh, written for Palestinian children, has moved many people. The verses tell the innocent dreams of a child, hoping to go to school, to play, but that dream is extinguished by bombs and bullets, becoming a haunting denunciation of war. Without needing to make big statements, it is that clear and tragic truth that deeply touches the hearts of listeners.
The exchange session was elaborately staged, opening with an introduction clip made by the Writers' Association Publishing House and the song "Forever's footprints" (poem by Ho Thi Ca, music by Pham Minh Tuan). In the discussion, poet Huu Viet led the conversation with Murad Sudani and Nguyen Quang Thieu, with the support of Laila Pham's translation. Sincerely sharing about the creative journey and the role of poetry in the wartime has shown that literature does not stand aside, but always accompanies the fate of the nation.
A meaningful highlight is the poetry reading with painting by artist Minh Loan. The poem "I come from there" by Mahmoud Darwish - a Palestinian play through a translation by Vu Hoang Linh, performed by poet Tran Mai Huong, opened up a profound space for the song. Images of her homeland, prison, olive trees, sky and tears are like a crystallization of the painful but proud history of Palestine.
Closing the program is the song "Vam Co Dong" (poem by Hoai Vu, music by Truong Quang Luc), as a bridge connecting the past of fighting in Vietnam with the challenging present of Palestine. In the singing, the poetry and the quiet applause, the exchange "Meeting the song of Vietnam and Palestine" left a deep impression.
