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20.10.09 12:55

the Guitarist of Long Thanh

In 2010. Thang Long – as Hanoi was first christened will celebrate its 1000^th anniversary. During this millennium, Vietnam‘s capital has been home to many of the country’s most talented artists and writers, including the great poet Nguyen Du (1765 - 1820).

Originally named To Nhu, the man who came to be called Nguyen Du was the seventh child in a family with 18 sons. Born in Canh Hoach village in Ha Dong province, he earned a degree at the age of 19. In 1788, when the Tay Son rebels overthrew the Le dynasty, Nguyen Du, remaining loyal to the monarchy, fled to his wife’s home village. Shortly thereafter, the attempt to reinstate the monarchy failed, forcing Nguyen Du to live as a recluse in Ha Tinh province.

In 1793, Nguyen Du travelled to Thang Long to visit one of his brothers, a mandarin under the Tay Son government. During Nguyen Du’s visit, a large festival, titled “The Festival Night Of Giam Lake”, took place before Van Mieu, the Temple of Literature. Escorted by his brother, Nguyen Du mingled among the famous singers and dancers attending the party. Among those he met was a beautyful singer, whose sweet voice and skillful guitar playing captivated many visitors that night. Nguyen Du later arranged to meet her, as the image of this talented and beautiful singer had touched his poetic soul.

In 1802, the Tay Son regime fell, bringing the Nguyens to the throne. Kinh Gia Long issued a decree calling all former advisors to the Le to resume their posts as mandarins. Nguyen Du, among them, found himself working for the Nguyen Dynasty. During royal debates he ofent kept so silent that Kinh Gia Long would remind him: “The Kingdom highly appreciates talented people, if you have any ideas do not hesitate to submit them.” At that, Nguyen Du would hurriedly agree.

In 1813, Nguyen Du was sent to China as the King’s envoy. On the way from Hue, the delegation passed through Thang Long. Nguyen Du’s old friends held a feast at Tuyen Phu’s residence to welcome the delegation. During the celebrations, the poet heard a familiar melody. He threw a knowing look at the artist; sure enough, it was the old singer, seated in a dark corner, skinny and shabbily dressed.

After the party, Nguyen Du approached her, stunned at how time had changed the woman who ‘d been the toast of the Giam Lake Festival 20 years before. How could she have come to this? He was consumed with obsessive memories of her brilliant pass and filled with pity. How quickly a flower fades! The fellings aroused by this meeting inspired Nguyen Du to write his immortal poem, The Guitarist of Long Thanh. In this masterpiece, the old poet recounted his own tragic love story.

Nguyen Du left many great works, the most famous of which include The Tale of Kieu, Calling up the Soul, and The Guitarist of Long Thanh. All of his poems are imbued with a humanitarian spirit, he always felt for society’s unfortunates. In The Guitarist of Long Thanh Nguyen Du tells of love, fate and social change all of which are intertwined and scattered in the cyclone of history.

Ancient place, old friend decline

Through the whirligig of time and life

The Tay Son royalty is ruined

All that is left is a songstress’ exisence.

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