Le Giang says many people who talked toand sang for her as she traversed the country collecting folk songswould burst into tears when they saw themselves in her new book.
The book, Con Khoc Ngon Lanh (Easy to Cry), is a compilation ofmemories gathered over more than three decades that Giang and hermusician husband Lu Nhat Vu spent on their venture.
Ever since the American War ended 34 years ago, Giang and her husbandhave traveled to every corner of the country to record songs chanted bycommon people.
They have published several books featuring the folk songs collected during their travels.
In 2000, the poet was awarded the Mai Vang (Golden Apricot) Award for her contribution to the country’s traditional music.
But the couple says love from people is the greatest prize they have received.
Back in their modest house on the top of an apartment block on Nam KyKhoi Nghia street after long journeys to different parts of thecountry, Giang began writing down memories of her encounters with thepeople who opened and shared their treasure of folk songs with her.
Vietnam is a treasure house of oral folk traditions that haveflourished for centuries, like the ho (work shanties) and hat ru(lullaby) in the southern provinces, and quan ho (love duet) in thenorth. However, not many people are engaged in recording and preservingthe thousands of songs that country traditions have created over allthese years.
“I write to enjoy life, not as a big task. People think that onlyfamous people write memoirs. Everyone, including a farmer, can write amemoir for their own,” Giang said.
Now the poet and her husband often return to the places, not forcollecting fresh material, but to call on people they’d met previouslyor to light incense for friends who’ve passed away.
The couple are in their seventies now. They spent almost half of theirlives researching folk songs in the country and publishing at least adozen books on the subject.
The books have popularized hundreds of melodies among artists and the general public.
And now, written in a very simple and engaging style, Giang’s memoirabout the simple, kind people she and her husband met is sure to touchthe hearts of all readers./.
The book, Con Khoc Ngon Lanh (Easy to Cry), is a compilation ofmemories gathered over more than three decades that Giang and hermusician husband Lu Nhat Vu spent on their venture.
Ever since the American War ended 34 years ago, Giang and her husbandhave traveled to every corner of the country to record songs chanted bycommon people.
They have published several books featuring the folk songs collected during their travels.
In 2000, the poet was awarded the Mai Vang (Golden Apricot) Award for her contribution to the country’s traditional music.
But the couple says love from people is the greatest prize they have received.
Back in their modest house on the top of an apartment block on Nam KyKhoi Nghia street after long journeys to different parts of thecountry, Giang began writing down memories of her encounters with thepeople who opened and shared their treasure of folk songs with her.
Vietnam is a treasure house of oral folk traditions that haveflourished for centuries, like the ho (work shanties) and hat ru(lullaby) in the southern provinces, and quan ho (love duet) in thenorth. However, not many people are engaged in recording and preservingthe thousands of songs that country traditions have created over allthese years.
“I write to enjoy life, not as a big task. People think that onlyfamous people write memoirs. Everyone, including a farmer, can write amemoir for their own,” Giang said.
Now the poet and her husband often return to the places, not forcollecting fresh material, but to call on people they’d met previouslyor to light incense for friends who’ve passed away.
The couple are in their seventies now. They spent almost half of theirlives researching folk songs in the country and publishing at least adozen books on the subject.
The books have popularized hundreds of melodies among artists and the general public.
And now, written in a very simple and engaging style, Giang’s memoirabout the simple, kind people she and her husband met is sure to touchthe hearts of all readers./.
