Very “true to life” folk songs

In addition to his knack for composing poetry and literature, writer Nguyễn Trung Nguyên, Vice Chairman of Cần Thơ Writers' Association, is also gifted with writing new lyrics and composing many genres of folk songs (ca cổ, cải lương, etc). Over the past 2 weeks, he has composed more than 10 folk songs with “hot” topics about life, attracting public attention.

Writer Nguyễn Trung Nguyên said: “during the social distancing period, I often watch the news, read the newspapers and listen to the radio at home to obtain information regarding the complicated situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, I saw many real, touching pictures and stories that really move me. That is the kindness coming from the people of Cần Thơ city who volunteer to help people in distress during these difficult days; the story about compatriots in Tay Do land; the story of the silent but noble sacrifices of the frontline forces against the pandemic; The difficult life scenes in the middle of the pandemic season, etc. All have inspired him to give birth to these "true to life" folk songs namely “Ði giữa tâm dịch” (Walking in the middle of the pandemic), “Chiều trên chốt kiểm dịch” (An afternoon on the quarantine checkpoint), “Bàn thờ cha giữa khu cách ly” (makeshift altar inside the quarantine camp to mourn father’s death), “Ðưa con về với nội” (Take me back to my grandmother), “Hộp súp nóng trên đèo Hải Vân” (Hot soup box on Hai Van pass), etc.

In particular, the song “Bàn thờ cha giữa khu cách ly” (makeshift altar inside the quarantine camp to mourn father’s death) was written very quickly by writer Nguyễn Trung Nguyên after reading the story of a female student in Hải Dương province who volunteered to fight the pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City and was on duty when she heard that her father had passed away. Everyone helped her to build a makeshift altar inside the quarantine camp to mourn her father’s death. In verse 6 of the song, the author writes: “This battle is still very fierce, I may not be able to return home soon. In the middle of the southern city, I set up an altar to mourn your death. Dad! please accept one prostration from me with all my heart”

Or in the song “Chiều trên chốt kiểm dịch” (An afternoon on the quarantine checkpoint), writer Nguyễn Trung Nguyên dedicated to the students of Cần Thơ University for volunteering to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The author ends with optimistic, lyrical words: “It's been a long time since the afternoon but you students are still standing here with the color of the blue shirt glowing in the sunset. Keep the faith that tomorrow the pandemic will be over. The night will pass and the dawn will shine again.

Writer Nguyễn Trung Nguyên said: “I do not run after quantity, but it’s the emotions that keep urging me to write, from the material of life. I would write songs from beautiful stories that I have seen and heard. I hope that through the songs I composed, the good things from life will spread, creating positive energy for everyone to join hands to fight the pandemic."

Brushstrokes of love

Khưu Tấn Bửu, a young man who uses rice to make vivid paintings, is pretty famous with many people in Cần Thơ city. Although he is not particularly good at watercolor painting, oil painting, and posters, in recent days, Khuu Tan Buu has tried to release many meaningful artworks to encourage the frontline forces against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Up to now, more than 20 paintings have been released by Khưu Tấn Bửu. Each picture is a message through the lens of youth, cheerfulness, and modernity. Impressive among these is a painting depicting a “soldier” spraying disinfectant at a high-risk place for coronavirus spread with the slogan: “GO! CAN THO GO!”. Lively drawings in chibi style capture the attention of viewers. For example, the image of a blue-shirt male volunteer on a motorbike with a bunch of fresh vegetables, tubers, necessities behind his back. His paintings visualize the movement called “volunteer shipper” run by the local youth aiming to help people in the blocked area to buy food, necessities, etc. Along with each picture, Khưu Tấn Bửu sends a straightforward and encouraging message: “Thank you for staying at home for us!”, “Control and Prevention of COVID-19 for a peaceful Cần Thơ”, “Please say no to posting fake news and misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic”, etc. Every day, Khưu Tấn Bửu spends about 3 hours painting. His paintings are inspired by the COVID-19 prevention and control measures, beautiful pictures of humanity, and the amazing lifestyle of Cần Thơ people which is helping others during the complicated developments of the pandemic. His drawings are now spreading very quickly on social media sites, bringing very good propaganda effects.

Khưu Tấn Bửu is currently a member of the Standing Committee of the Youth Union of Cái Khế Ward, a member of the Executive Committee of Ninh Kiều District Youth Union, Cần Thơ city. Buu's talent for making rice paintings is well known as he creates a gift brand called G.A.O. He said: “Each person has a task, a talent. As for me, within my capacity, I want to contribute to the propaganda of COVID-19 prevention and control in my city.”

Beautiful melodies - meaningful messages

Recently, many writers and artists in Cần Thơ city within their strengths and capacities have contributed to promoting the spirit of COVID-19 prevention and control. Director Kiều Mỹ Dung has the song “Bắc - Trung - Nam chung tiếng gọi” (North - Central - South share the same call); composer Thanh Trang with the folk song Tôi yêu Tổ quốc Việt Nam” (I love my Fatherland, Vietnam); author Nguyễn Thanh Phú with the songs: Chiến sĩ áo xanh tình nguyện” (Volunteer blue-shirt soldier), “Vì cuộc sống bình yên” (For a peaceful life) and so on. With beautiful melodies and meaningful messages, the artworks are well received by the public and also express the great spirit of combating COVID-19 of writers and artists in Cần Thơ city.