Project to focus on work of late poet Hoàng Cầm
Poems and literary works by Hoang Cầm, a leading poet in revolutionary literature during the 1950s and
HÀ NỘI — Popular poet and playwright Hoang Nhuận Cầm suddenly passed away on Tuesday afternoon. He was 69.
“Poet Cầm accepted an invitation to join a live programme at the Radio Voice of Vietnam on Tuesday,” said poet Trần Đăng Khoa. “He normally arrives on time. But that day, when the show had almost started he did not appear. The team called him yet received no answer. Then his family members broke into his house to find he had passed away. He died at some 2-3pm that day.”
According to poet Hữu Viet, a close friend of Cầm, he has been suffered from lung disease for the past few years
Cầm was born in 1952 in Ha Noi. He was the first son of renowned music composer Hoang Giac. Cầm joined the army in 1971 when he was studying at the Ha Noi General University. He fought against the American invaders in Division 325B in Quảng Trị Province, the site of some of the fiercest battles during the American War in Viet Nam.
In 1975, he returned to university and worked for the Viet Nam Film Studio in 1981. He then worked for Vietnam Television before returning to the Viet Nam Film Studio in 2005.
He has been described as a “bloody poet” who composed moving poems on love, and war. He wrote various poems that have been kept in notebooks of various soldier generations like Chiếc La Buổi Đầu Tien (Leaves in First Date), Vao Mặt Trận Luc Mua Ve Đang Keu (Joining Battle when the Cicadas Singing) and Hò Hẹn Mãi Cuối Cung Em Cũng Đến (She Comes after Many Times Missing the Date).
He also composed screenplays for movies like Đem Hoi Long Trì (Long Trì Festive Night), Ha Noi Mua Đong Năm 46 (Ha Noi in Winter 1946) and Mui Cỏ Chay (Scent of Burnt Grass). He also acted as an actor.
Cầm won the first prize in a poetry contest hosted by Văn Nghe (Literature and Arts) newspaper in 1972-1973 and a prize by the Writers’ Association in 1993 for his poetry collection titled Xuc Xắc Mua Thu (Playing Dice in Autumn).
He was known for the role of witty Waterlily Doctor in Gặp Nhau Cuối Tuần (Meeting at Weekend) entertainment show on VTV3.
He also worked with VOV in some radio programmes like Khach Đến Chơi Nha (Welcoming Guests Home) (on VOV2) and Đoi Bạn Văn Chương (Literature Friends) (on VOV6). — VNS
