In a conversation with Lao Dong reporters, People's Artist Lan Huong emotionally shared about her uncle - Mr. Nguyen Van Trach, born in 1918 (revolutionary activist with the alias Hong Quang).
People's Artist Lan Huong recalled that her uncle was originally an intellectual young man studying Law. At that time, he faced a bright future, having enough conditions to study in France to embark on another path. But witnessing the suffering of the people under the yoke of domination, Mr. Nguyen Van Trach chose to give up his life that had been predetermined to follow the revolutionary path.
“From a young age, although studying in a Western school, my uncle always played with poor friends, willing to share each potato and shirt. When he became aware of the revolution, he not only advised my grandfather to give up the privileges of the old class but also directly led 5 younger brothers to follow the revolutionary path” - People's Artist Lan Huong shared.
Thanks to that enlightenment, all 5 younger brothers later dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to the army. Among them, artist Lan Huong's father was a Colonel, Navy Captain; another uncle used to be a military intelligence officer under General Vo Nguyen Giap, directly entering the bunker to take statements from General De Castries after the Dien Bien Phu victory.
In 1941, the staunch revolutionary soldier Nguyen Van Trach sacrificed himself at Hai Duong Prison when he was still very young and had not yet married. His sacrifice and the sacrifices of his comrades became the inspiration for musician Do Nhuan to compose the immortal melody of the song "Soul of the Martyr".
To commemorate the heroic merits, his name was given to Hong Quang Avenue in Hai Duong city. In Hanoi, Hoe Nhai street today was also honored to be named Nguyen Van Trach street (the real name of Martyr Hong Quang) in the post-August Revolution period, before being renamed Hoe Nhai.
People's Artist Lan Huong said that although the uncle did not have time to leave descendants, the children and grandchildren in the family - including her and writer Trang Ha (nephew of the martyr) - always look towards their roots to remember. In the near future, a scientific conference about Martyr Nguyen Van Trach (Hong Quang) will also be solemnly organized by Hung Yen province (where he used to participate in revolutionary activities).
Talking about her uncle, People's Artist Lan Huong recalled his beautiful but unfinished love story with Mrs. Vuong Ai Mai (younger sister of poet Anh Tho). He put aside his love and personal happiness to dedicate his whole life to the Fatherland.
Your saying that my whole family has always taught each other through many generations is:'Living without ideals, not helping life, humanity, people, those around you... then life will be meaningless' - People's Artist Lan Huong said emotionally.
Memories of Martyr Hong Quang are not only the personal pride of the "Hanoi Baby" family, but also a precious lesson about the ideals of life, service and sacrifice of a generation of Vietnamese intellectual youth for national independence.
