Writers criticize but do not attack or put each other down.

A 'bad habit' of Vietnamese writers that makes it difficult for Vietnamese literature to reach great heights, pointed out by Associate Professor Nguyen Dang Diep, is that writers only like opinions that agree with them. Many people see themselves as number 1 and do not recognize each other.

Poet Do Thi Tac exchanged opinions at the workshop - Photo: T.DIEU

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Dang Diep shared at the conference Vietnamese Literature after 1975 - Achievements, Problems and Prospects , organized by the Vietnam Writers Association on October 6 in Hanoi .

The main story of writers being the obstacle to the development of literature, as stated by the Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association, became a hotly discussed topic at the last workshop in a series of workshops on the same topic held in three regions. Previously, the workshop was held in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang .

Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association Nguyen Quang Thieu gave an opening speech, hoping that the conference would receive comments pointing out the obstacles that have caused Vietnamese literature over the past 50 years to "not be worthy of the times" and to lack any outstanding works.

"Take time to write..."

Poet Do Thi Tac and some delegates directly answered this question from the Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association.

According to her, the obstacle to the development of literature in recent times, according to Ms. Tac, lies in the writers themselves, in the attitudes between writers: "We are witnessing a period where Vietnamese literature is more active in fighting each other than in literary achievements. That is an obstacle to the development of literature and art. Writers do not spend time and effort on creating but on attacking this person and bringing that person down, without any humanity."

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Dang Diep also "appreciated" this statement of Ms. Tac. He said, when writers "get involved" in spending time writing articles to put each other down, he does not believe that they have anything too high: "Spend time writing. Talented writers do not have time for arguing, cursing, and putting others down."

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Dang Diep affirmed that Vietnamese literature in the past 50 years has had its peak - Photo: T.DIEU

There are great works, but do you dare to recognize them?

Another "bad habit" of Vietnamese writers that makes it difficult for Vietnamese literature to achieve great stature was also pointed out by Mr. Diep.

That is, writers always say that we need to expand our evaluation methods and evaluation criteria, but they only like opinions that agree with their own and are closed to opinions that are different from their own. Many people think they are number 1 and do not recognize each other.

He cited an example, The Sorrow of War is a peak but many writers do not recognize it. Literature 1930-1945 had Nam Cao as a peak, but reading Nguyen Huy Thiep is not inferior. Vu Trong Phung was previously a dense urban writer, but now Nguyen Viet Ha is also very excellent in urban literature...

Vice President of the Vietnam Writers Association Nguyen Binh Phuong said there are two opposing opinions when evaluating the achievements of Vietnamese literature over the past 50 years - Photo: T.DIEU

Summarizing the Vietnamese literature seminars since 1975 in different regions, writer Nguyen Binh Phuong - Vice President of the Vietnam Writers Association, said there were two opposing opinions.

A stream affirms that over the past 50 years, Vietnamese literature has fulfilled its mission well, portraying the national situation and human condition over the past 50 years, courageously dissecting important issues, mending wounds, and creating its own values.

On the other side are harsh assessments, arguing that over the past 50 years, literature has not fulfilled its function of creating a humanistic spiritual life for society, which it did well in the past.

It also avoids the truths and dark corners that human life is facing, failing to promptly sound the alarm about the cracks in society and people in terms of morality, ideals, and dignity, lacking valuable, timeless works, and lacking great authors capable of bringing Vietnamese literature to the world.

BIRD OF PARADISE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nha-van-phan-bien-nhung-dung-cong-kich-ha-be-nhau-20251006183931849.htm