Hoang Trung Thong - a poet with the character of a "Nghe"

"Nurturing" from the Earth

Poet Hoang Trung Thong (1925-1993) was born and raised in Quynh Doi commune (Quynh Luu), formerly known as Tho Doi Trang, a "land of learning" in Nghe An province famous throughout the country. This place has "nurtured" many talents in many fields, in which, the most prominent is the field of literature and art.

Some people have not hesitated to affirm that there is a “literary vein” in Quynh village, meaning that this land has a literary vein flowing from generation to generation. As if receiving energy from that traditional vein, poet Hoang Trung Thong soon revealed and affirmed his position in the Vietnamese literary world. He studied at Vinh National School, then joined the revolution and became a famous poet...

Late poet Hoang Trung Thong. Photo archive

Literary researchers and critics affirm that in any period and any subject, Hoang Trung Thong always has good poems, bearing the mark of life. For example, during the resistance war to build the nation, the poet's "Breaking Earth Song" contributed to creating the willpower and determination of the entire people in labor and production: "Our hands make everything/With human strength, stones can turn into rice”.

Or the poem "When Will You Return" describes the military-civilian relationship in a warm and touching way: "The brothers returned home happily in front of the gate/Layers of juniors happily followed behind/The old mother was holding her brown shirt/Happy that her children had just returned from the deep forest….

And here is the image in the article "The Headmaster", praising the development of cooperative economy in the 60s of the last century: "I raise my hand to draw in the green fields/Drawing all of tomorrow into a picture”.

In particular, when studying and learning about President Ho Chi Minh's poetry, the poem "Reading Uncle Ho's Poetry" by Hoang Trung Thong is considered a "compass", with directional significance in exploring the theme, ideology and artistic value: "I read hundreds of poems with hundreds of beautiful ideas/The light shines on the green hair/Uncle Ho's poems, steel poems/But still immense and boundless with love”.

The poem is short but somewhat summarizes Uncle Ho's poetic style, shining with "steel" - fighting spirit but also full of poetry - imbued with affection.

Hoang Trung Thong's poetry is considered to be both rustic and simple, yet rich in contemplation and philosophy. This stems from sincere emotions, genuine feelings and aesthetic concepts close to the majority of the public who love literature and art.

Quynh Doi Commune, Quynh Luu District (Nghe An) - the hometown of poet Hoang Trung Thong. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

The poet’s creations are often closely connected to life but not easily; they go hand in hand with the breath of life and are warmly received. Therefore, Hoang Trung Thong’s poetry has a simple beauty distilled from everyday life.

"Nghe scholar" features

Besides composing poetry, Hoang Trung Thong also writes research, literary criticism and translates foreign literary works. He has great contributions in translating and introducing many poetic works of Du Fu, Luc Du, Pushkin, Mayakovsky, Simonov and modern Chinese poetry, as well as participating in translating poetry of the Ly - Tran dynasties of Vietnam...

Through that, it shows that he is a multi-talented and erudite person, well-versed in both Chinese studies and Eastern culture, and well-versed in and assimilated the quintessence of Western culture to create his own valuable assets.

With a gentle face, thoughtful features, high forehead and long white hair and beard, poet Hoang Trung Thong exudes the appearance of a wise man. Like the verse of Han Mac Tu "The poet is as graceful as his poetry", the personality of poet Hoang is always rustic, simple and very sincere.

Those who worked at the Institute of Literature during his time as Director all shared the same opinion that he was a leader but very simple, casual, and unfamiliar with the formal official style. Therefore, our poet was quite sociable, had many close friends who were famous artists and writers, great cultural figures such as poets Xuan Dieu, Che Lan Vien, Anh Tho, Mong Tuyet; famous painters such as Duong Bich Lien, Nguyen Sang, Diep Minh Chau...

Poet Hoang Trung Thong (sitting in the middle) with poet Bao Dinh Giang (far left) and painter Mai Van Hien. Photo courtesy

Being “nurtured” from Tho Doi Trang, poet Hoang Trung Thong is both talented and erudite, but also has the “craziness” of a “Nghe scholar”. Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Huu Son - former Deputy Director of the Institute of Literature, who worked as a researcher under Director Hoang Trung Thong, said: In 1980, the organization suggested that he apply for the title of Professor and was supported by almost everyone.

But he said: “I am a poet. That is enough. What professor is left?” When there was a plan to reduce staff, he said: “Reduce me first. With such low salaries, where will they go?”...

The wife of poet Hoang Trung Thong was Mrs. Ho Thi Hoa, a virtuous girl from a wealthy family in Quynh village. The two met through a matchmaker, but lived in harmony and loved each other wholeheartedly.

Although her husband loved poetry, wine and was “intoxicated” with his friends, Mrs. Hoa still loved and served him wholeheartedly. Most of the time the family lived in Hanoi, they had 5 children named after 5 flowers, all of whom were successful: Bich Hong, Bich Lien, Bich Ha, Huong Duong and Phuong Vy.

It can be said that Hoang Trung Thong lived his life to the fullest, with poetry, with family and friends. Future generations will forever remember what he left behind with all gratitude and respect. The Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts awarded to him says it all! And before that, Vinh city had a street named after him!