Songwriter's love letters to be published

The letters Trinh Cong Son wrote to his first lover as a young man in the 1960s are set to be published in book form by his family. 
The letters Trinh Cong Son wrote to his first lover as a young man inthe 1960s are set to be published in book form by his family.

Son, who was said one of Vietnam's greatest modern musicians, wrotemore than 300 letters to Ngo Vu Dao Anh, with whom he was fervently inlove as a 25-year old after he graduated from the Quy Nhon PedagogyCollege and chose to live and work as a teacher in B'lao, a mountaintown in Lam Dong.

Anh, a Hue native, is said to be the source of inspiration for most of Son's love songs.

He wrote to her between 1964 and 1967. Despite the passage of more than40 years, the war, her marriage and migration to the US , Anhpreserved the letters, envelopes, and dry leaves like a treasure.

Both his first and last letters thank Anh, for her love for his townand for her love for him. Each letter is almost a piece of literature,filled with poetry and his feelings about love and human destiny.

Even after their love ended in 1967, Son and Anh continued to exchangeletters, confiding about the sadness and happiness of their lives.

The last letter she received was in January 2001, three months before he passed away.

His family said the letters will be published next month to mark his 10th death anniversary.

Poet Nguyen Duy, who will edit the book, said though Son was excellentat writing love letters, they were not just about two people's love butalso a commentary on contemporary society.

Curiously, Anhis the younger sister of Ngo Vu Bich Diem, who inspired Son to writeDiem Xua (Diem of the Past). His unrequited love for her began when shewas just 15.

The musician's family also plans to organise aseries of music shows titled 10 Nam Nho Trinh Cong Son (10 YearCommemorating Trinh Cong Son) from March to April in various parts ofthe country.

It will begin with concerts at the Hanoi Opera House, HCM City Opera House, and White Palace in HCM City .

There will be free performances at universities in Hanoi, Hue, andHCM City and at the Binh Quoi Tourist Village .

The event will give Son's family the first opportunity to display 30 of the multi-faceted genius' paintings.

At White Palace on April 10, Trinh Vinh Trinh, Son's sister, will release two albums of her brother's music./.

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