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IDECAF Drama Theatre’s musical Tien Nga (Fairy Tale), a 2018 production based on the 19th century Vietnamese epic poem Luc Van Tien by poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu, receives a literature and art award in theatre category from the HCM City People’s Committee. — Photo courtesy of the producer

IDECAF Drama Theatre’s musical Tiên Nga (Fairy Tale), a 2018 production based on the 19th century Vietnamese epic poem Lục Vân Tiên by poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu, received an award in the theatre category.

Thiên Mệnh Anh Hùng (Blood Letter), a 2012 co-production of Phuong Nam Film and Saiga Films, won an award in the film category.

Directed by Vietnamese-American Victor Vu, the sword-fighting film tells the tale of Nguyen Vu, who was the only survivor after his family was massacred during the Nguyen Dynasty. In the tale, he sets out on a journey of revenge to clear his family name.

The Dance School of HCM City received an award for its dance “Tổ Quốc” (The Motherland) in 2015, while veteran composer Tran Long An was awarded for his song Lời Bác Hồ Sáng Biển Đông (Uncle Hồ’s Words Light up the East Sea).

The late writer Le Van Thao received an award in literature for his memoirs Ở R – Chuyện Kể Sau 50 Năm (In Resistance Zone – Stories Told after 50 Years) about his life during wartime, published in 2018 by the Văn Học – Dân Tộc Publishing House.

The city also gave awards in the categories of architecture, fine arts, and critism to architect Nguyen Truong Luu, scuptor Le Lang Bien, painters Nguyen Trong Hoan and Huynh Van Muoi, and photographer Tran The Phong.

The literature and art awards were first given by the city in 2005.

This year, the organisers received 88 entries in the categories of literature, music, theatre, film, photography, fine arts, architecture and dance.

Le Thanh Liem, deputy chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, who spoke at the ceremony at the Opera House, said: “The awards honour the contributions of artists to the city’s literature and art. Their works left a deep impression on people. The city is continuing to support artists to promote their work among the public.”

VNS