Dear Artists,
Dear delegates,
Today, I am very pleased to attend the meeting of representatives of the artists - the elite, the core force in creating and disseminating the national culture. With all my affection, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, I would like to send to the artists present here as well as the artists from all over the country my respectful greetings, warm regards and best wishes.
Dear comrades and artists.
Culture is a special product of the people and the nation. Preserving and promoting the strength of culture is an area that any country must pay attention to because this task is closely linked to social development, enriching the spiritual life of the people and the effective operation of the state. Lenin pointed out that improving cultural level is one of the most urgent tasks that communists must do after gaining power. In 1943, in extremely difficult circumstances, our Party had not yet gained power but had the Outline of Vietnamese culture, demonstrating the strength and role of culture in the Party's cause, demonstrating the belief, optimism and victory of our Party and our people. Up to now, more than 80 years after its birth, the Outline of culture still retains its value in life. Ho Chi Minh - the genius leader of our Party, after reading the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the new Vietnamese state, emphasized "Now that our country has gained independence, we need to have a culture that is in harmony with science and in line with the aspirations of the people", with the affirmation that "in the process of building the country, there are 4 issues that need attention, and must be given equal importance: politics, economics, culture, and society". According to Uncle Ho's point of view, "Culture must light the way for the nation to go", national culture and new people must be built and developed in accordance with the times, with the new strategic development goals of the country. Right after liberating Dien Bien, Uncle Ho sent many young people to the Soviet Union and China to study culture, literature and art, to study at schools of Fine Arts, Cinema, Music... so that we have today's generation of veteran artists. Perhaps no one is more optimistic than the artists. As early as 1945, when our army was just one year old, musician Van Cao wrote about the Vietnam Air Force, the Vietnam Navy, the Vietnam Police... or in 1949, Van Cao saw "layer upon layer of troops marching on the waves/layer upon layer of troops marching" to liberate the capital. Many works from the early days of the government affirmed the inevitable victory of the Revolution.
Since the existence of the Party and the Government, our Party and State have always paid special attention to the team of artists and writers. They have issued many resolutions, mechanisms and policies, creating favorable conditions and spaces for the development of literature and art, so that artists and writers can immerse themselves in social life and the lives of the people. In response, the team of artists and writers has grown and matured, making many especially important contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the revival of the nation.
During the two long resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, which were arduous but extremely glorious and proud, many artists, both armed with guns, pens and instruments, always stood side by side with all classes of people and the entire nation, ready to dedicate themselves, bravely sacrifice, and take the lead on the ideological and cultural front; wrote works and heroic epics that inspired, encouraged, and motivated, creating the unparalleled strength of the entire nation in the fight, protection, construction and development of the country. Through poems, lyrics, songs, music, drawings, films, plays... Familiar authors such as Ho Chi Minh, Song Hong, To Huu, Van Cao, Pham Tuyen, Luu Huu Phuoc, Hoang Van, Do Nhuan, Nguyen Thi, To Ngoc Van, Tuong Vy, Tra Giang... and many other famous artists have spread the revolutionary spirit to all parts of the country, praising the bravery and encouraging the fighting spirit of our army and people on the battlefield, becoming a great source of encouragement on all fronts, leaving a deep impression in the hearts of the people and a valuable cultural heritage, helping future generations better understand the value of independence, freedom and the sacrifice of their ancestors. During the campaigns, despite hardships and difficulties, artists still joined the battle, were present on the battlefields, battles, and had many meaningful on-the-spot compositions, expressing the spirit of optimism and confidence in the victory of the Party, the people, the army and soldiers. The team of artists and writers together with the entire people and army "cut through Truong Son to save the country", creating great victories "famous in five continents, shaking the world", unifying the country, so that our country "has never been as beautiful as today" on April 30, 1975.
In the process of building and developing the country, spreading throughout the lifeblood of the Fatherland like blood cells, the team of artists continues to sacrifice and endure hardships to reflect and affirm the colorful vitality in all regions and professions, creating works imbued with cultural and humanistic values, adding vitality to aesthetics and art, creating spiritual resources for the country on the path to prosperity and beauty, especially the beauty of the Vietnamese soul.
We are moved and proud of the works that crystallize the talent, passion, responsibility, dedication and commitment of generations of artists; works that encourage and motivate the entire people and army, marking the unforgettable years of the country, strongly demonstrating the stature of the descendants of Lac Hong, nurturing national pride, pride in the Party and the glorious Fatherland; works that exalt and praise new factors, examples of selfless labor, production and fighting. We honor the team of artists - those who wholeheartedly follow the Party's ideals, wholeheartedly serve the Fatherland, serve the people, unite to fight against the plot of "peaceful evolution", voluntarily become soldiers on the cultural front, volunteer to live and create in the most arduous and fierce fronts of the Fatherland, sharing flesh and blood with the people, bathing in challenges, considering them as their aspiration, their reason for living, their happiness in life.
With their great contributions, the revolutionary artists have become the Party's cultural army, the core factor creating the new cultural strength and depth, promoting the formation and development of the socialist-oriented cultural industry, constantly nurturing the spiritual life of the masses, contributing to the enrichment of the nation's long-standing and unique culture, making the country glorious; being awarded many noble awards and titles by the Party and the State, above all, they have entered people's hearts, becoming the spiritual baggage of our people.
On behalf of the Party and State leaders, I would like to express my deep gratitude, warm congratulations and commend the achievements in literary and artistic activities of the artists over the past 80 years.
Dear comrades, artists and writers,
Besides the achievements, frankly admit that compared to the period of resistance war and national construction, literary and artistic activities in the period of national renovation are somewhat stagnant, lacking enthusiasm; lacking works with high artistic generalization, with the ability to appeal, move, encourage, and motivate the entire people and army to join hands, unite, and be determined to implement the strategic policies of the Party and State. The literary and artistic foundation has not yet vividly and fully reflected the reality of renovation and international integration, traditional cultural values have been lost; confused, passive, not proactively absorbing the quintessence of human culture, not promptly preventing the "poisonous wind" of foreign culture from invading national culture. Many products follow the trend of petty and temporary entertainment; some incite low instincts; some eagerly embrace foreign artistic views that are unselective, far from the function of truth, goodness, and beauty; has not fulfilled its noble mission as a torch of humanity, a torch of intelligence and culture to illuminate, guide and create healthy and progressive values and lifestyles. Some artists are still passive, lacking in aspiration, not committed, even degenerate in political ideology, have distorted thinking, follow trivial tastes, follow immediate personal interests, fall into depravity, and violate the law. The artistic environment sometimes and in some places has not really created a source of inspiration, contributing to arousing the aspirations and passion of artists. In the creation, performance and dissemination of literary and artistic works, there are still many works and activities that have not demonstrated progress and national identity. The number of works is large but few have high artistic value in terms of ideology and aesthetics. Theoretical activities and art criticism are still backward and show signs of decline, have not solved many problems of life, are far from reality, rigid, and have not performed well the role of guidance and coordination;
The training and development of artists is still inadequate, weak, inadequate, and uneven... some literary and artistic associations are slow to innovate their content and methods of operation, and are confused in gathering, coordinating, and promoting the potential of artists...
Dear comrades and artists,
Our country is standing at the door of history to enter a new era, an era of development, prosperity and growth. To achieve this great goal, it requires the efforts of the entire Party, the entire people and the entire army under the leadership of the Party, in which the contribution of literature and art, the team of artists plays a particularly important and urgent role. The Party, the State and the People look forward to and believe in the transformation, strong growth and positive contributions of the team of artists in the new revolutionary period, with the following 03 proposals:
Firstly, strongly Firstly, strongly increase the contribution and dedication of the artists in implementing the strategic goals of 100 years under the leadership of the Party, 100 years of the founding of the country, with 03 specific contents: (i) Strive to create a new collection of lifetime works, useful, vividly reflecting the reality of the new revolutionary stage; illuminating life, having the power to move emotions, calling on the entire people and the entire army to implement the Party's policies; arousing, gathering the people's hearts, multiplying the people's strength, together with the entire Party, the entire people and the entire army, creating an invincible strength to bring the Vietnamese revolutionary cause to conquer new heights; actively contributing to building human civilization. (ii) Focus on building socialist people. The most noble mission of the team of revolutionary artists is to create cultural personalities, build socialist people. Through good works to sow good things in the hearts of readers and viewers, to nurture the soul, emotions, perfect the personality, morality, intelligence, and character of Vietnamese people, to guide them towards the values of truth, goodness, and beauty; to eliminate and purify bad and evil things; to orient and lead people towards noble values, a bright future, and genuine aspirations. (iii) The basis for implementing the above contents is very promising. The cause of innovation after 40 years with its position and strength, opportunities, fortune, including risks and challenges is providing artists with valuable materials, new sources of motivation, the foundation for strong changes, for the birth of great works with values in ideology, art, humanity, and attracting the public; Everything is ready and the concentration of talent, enthusiasm, aspiration to devote oneself resolutely, to innovate correctly and strongly of the team of artists is the key point for the values of culture, art, spirit and character of Vietnam to reach far, fly high, approach and integrate into human civilization. Our goal is that literature, art and culture must serve the people, the people have the right to enjoy because life is not only about food and clothing but also requires spiritual life to be improved and enjoyed. What do we think when a part of the people are not only not full, not warm but also hungry for culture and art?
Second, focus on building a literature and art foundation under the leadership of the Party worthy of the nation's rise, with three basic pillars: (i) Building a team of artists who are truly steadfast revolutionary soldiers on the Party's cultural and ideological front. Focus on building a team of artists with healthy thinking, correct stance, loyal to the Party's ideals, closely attached to the fate of the nation, to the cause of innovation, to the people's working and productive lives, wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the people; having a deep awareness of the noble artistic mission and vocation; having a correct working style, pure ethics, enduring hardships, and simplicity; fighting against being separated from the masses, from reality, from politics, from labor; always cultivating political ideology, revolutionary viewpoints and stances, knowledge, life experience, and understanding; have great aspirations and ambitions for creativity, dare to innovate, be sharp, strong, and enthusiastic in describing, praising, and criticizing; actively penetrate, constantly delve into reality, and truthfully reflect every aspect of life, especially topics that serve the goal of building an increasingly developed and prosperous country, for a prosperous and happy life for the people in accordance with the Party's policies. Artists must constantly follow the rhythm of life and the breath of the people, blend in with the country, dare to go into thorny, complicated, and sensitive issues of the community, go to remote, isolated, and disadvantaged areas, areas of ethnic minorities, border areas, and islands, discover and reflect new factors, good practices, and new issues arising in life, and actively and responsibly participate in social tasks. The life experience of artists must reach out to all regions of the country; must beat with the heartbeat of the country. (ii) Regarding the work, it must have identity, high socialist ideological and artistic values; reflect the soul, style, and character; arouse national spirit and pride, great and strong things of people and predict the future; have the ability to spread socialist ethics, be beneficial to the public, and create cultural strength to help the nation survive. The task of preserving and promoting national culture and folk culture is extremely important because national culture is identity, folk culture is tradition (iii) Art must be simple and have soul, have spirit (easy to understand, easy to absorb, easy to absorb, at the same time must be good, special, unique, attractive, widespread and convincing to the masses; both promoting the traditional cultural values of the nation such as patriotism, profound humanity, rich in national identity, and being a true mirror reflecting the vivid reality of the breakthrough and rise of the country and the nation in the new era. Art creators must understand the strategic policies that the Party is leading the implementation, understand the situation of the country, understand the lives of the people, on the basis of Marxist-Leninist aesthetics, Ho Chi Minh thought to have works that reproduce life in a simple and sincere way; both encouraging, motivating, inspiring, arousing the aspiration to build a prosperous and happy country, and daring to criticize, denounce the wrong aspects, do not ignore or overlook the dramatic corners. Only when art reflects the true and correct reality, art can flourish and only then can artists and art have an audience, reach the hearts of the public, survive over time and become valuable.
Third, strongly innovate the management, development, incubation, training and promotion of literary and artistic talents. The Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress needs to have a Central Resolution on the development of culture and arts in the new period. The Secretariat, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Central Propaganda Department coordinate with relevant agencies to study and promptly advise on the effective implementation of the "National Target Program on Cultural Development for the 2025-2035 period"; implement the national cultural goals until 2045; review the implementation of Resolution No. 23 dated June 16, 2008 of the Politburo on "Continuing to build and develop literature and arts in the new period" and study and promulgate the National Strategy on building literature and arts in the new era, the era of national development; Identify specific goals and targets for works, for building and developing the socialist-oriented cultural industry, for the mechanism of nurturing, fostering and promoting literary and artistic talents, and for contributions to human civilization. Strongly innovate leadership and management methods, create all conditions for artists to deeply penetrate the vibrant reality of the country, accompany and closely connect with the creative labor of our people in all areas of life, and enhance patriotism in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. Innovate policies on treatment, use and honoring the talents of artists on a comprehensive, strict, scientific, impartial, transparent and timely basis, creating excitement and trust in society, consensus and solidarity among artists; have specific tasks and creative movements according to the Party's strategic policies.
The National Assembly, the Government, the Party Committees, and relevant agencies need to coordinate to remove bottlenecks in laws, mechanisms, policies, budgets, finance, investment, etc. to create resources and space for artists to freely create and compose. However, along with that, we must fight against deviant, degraded, and uncultured ideologies. In addition, we must focus on training and fostering talents and a strong enough human resource for the team of artists to serve the new era of the nation.
Dear comrades, artists,
President Ho Chi Minh advised that “culture and art are also a front. You are soldiers on that front, artistic soldiers have the duty to… serve the Fatherland, serve the People…, artistic soldiers need to have a firm stance, correct ideology… Regarding creation, it is necessary to understand thoroughly, connect with and go deep into the lives of the People… Culture and art, like all other activities, cannot stand outside, but must be in economics and politics”. Our country is entering a new stage of development, with determination, new spirit, belief and aspiration for a strong Vietnam, with great expectations for contributions from political power to create literature and art and a team of artists.
The Party, State and People believe that, by promoting the glorious tradition, the country's artists will certainly achieve new achievements, conquer new heights in artistic creation, constantly cultivate and build an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity, create endogenous strength for the country's development and actively contribute to the development of human civilization.
I am truly touched by the sentiments of the artists present today. I would like to thank the artists for attending and expressing their responsibility to the country, to the people, and to the culture and art of the nation.
On the occasion of the upcoming New Year 2025 and Spring At Ty, on behalf of the Party and State leaders and on my own behalf, I wish all delegates, artists and all comrades good health, happiness and success.
Thank you very much!
