Not only is it an annual cultural event, this year's Poetry Day also sends a clear message: Poetry is not outside the development flow, but is ready to accompany the country in the digital age.
According to leaders of the Vietnam Writers' Association, the selection of Quang Ninh - a land rich in cultural traditions, a place associated with the story of King Le Thanh Tong writing poetry on Bai Tho mountain cliff as the venue, has suggested a symbol: Poetry is always present in the historical steps of the nation. From verses engraved on mountain rocks to poems spreading on social networks today, poetry still persistently goes hand in hand with the Vietnamese people.
At the seminar "The Dignity of Poetry" held on the morning of March 3, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Writers' Association Nguyen Binh Phuong raised the question: Where will poetry stand amidst the explosion of artificial intelligence, social networks and the rapid changes in life?
The opinions of poets such as Nguyen Khoa Diem, Vu Quan Phuong, Huu Thinh... all agree in one point: As society develops faster, people need more sustainable spiritual support. And poetry is one of those supports.
At the seminar, many writers and poets also said: In the cycle of technology and information, everything can be created quickly. Artificial intelligence can "write" poetry, social networks can make a poem spread in a few hours. But the dignity of poetry lies not in speed, but in the depth of humanity.
That dignity, as delegates at the seminar affirmed, is created from the inner honesty and responsibility of the writer to words and the times.
When poets face major issues of the country - economic development, environmental protection, preserving identity, building new people - poetry cannot just be a private voice. Poetry must be the voice of conscience" - poet Do Anh Vu said.
The history of Vietnamese literature shows that, in the most arduous periods of the nation, poetry was always present. From patriotic poetry at the beginning of the 20th century, resistance poetry, to renovation poetry... each period marked the dedication of the writer. Today, when the country enters the era of digital transformation, deep integration, poetry also needs a new spirit of dedication.
On this occasion, the Publishing House of the Writers' Association and the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province published the poetry collection "Before the Great Sea", named after the theme of Poetry Day, including 50 poems on the theme of the sea by famous authors and complete poems also on the theme of the sea by poets from many generations.
The work contributes to spreading the spirit of this year's Poetry Day - the spirit of opening up broad horizons, where poetry continues to accompany people in the journey of preserving and enhancing the dignity of life.
In the afternoon of March 3, poets and writers attending Vietnam Poetry Day were divided into many practical groups at Ha Lam Coal Company, Brigade 170 and some schools in Quang Ninh to exchange and talk about poetry and poetry reading for the public who love literature and art. The solemn organization of Vietnam Poetry Day in Quang Ninh is also an activity to implement Resolution 80 of the Politburo just issued on the development of Vietnamese culture.
