Literature and Contemporary Life: An Open, Multidimensional, and Substantive Academic Forum
On November 28, Hanoi Metropolitan University, in coordination with the Institute of Literature – Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, organized the National Scientific Conference entitled “Literature and Contemporary Life”.
Attending the Conference were the following speakers: Writer Nguyen Binh Phuong – Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, Editor-in-Chief of Quan doi Nhan dan Literature and Arts Magazine; Writer Bao Ninh; Writer Nguyen Viet Ha; along with a large number of contributing authors and representatives from many universities nationwide such as: Hanoi National University of Education, Hanoi National University of Education 2, Tay Bac University, Tan Trao University, Dai Nam University, Hoa Lu University, Saigon University, Da Lat University, Can Tho University, etc. From Hanoi Metropolitan University, participants included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Vice President of the University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Cong Hao, Head of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities; together with representatives of several units of the University and staff and lecturers of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Vice President of Hanoi Metropolitan University, delivering the opening speech at the Conference
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Vice President of Hanoi Metropolitan University, emphasized that literature, throughout history, has always been the most profound mirror reflecting human fate, the transformations of society – culture – history – the times, and the noble aspirations of each nation in particular and of all humankind in general. In the context of contemporary life, as we are witnessing rapid changes brought about by technology, globalization, and multidimensional cultural exchanges, questions concerning the position, mission, values, and interactive capacity of Literature with Life have become increasingly urgent.
According to Vice President Nguyen Van Tuan, the Conference was organized to create an open, multidimensional, and substantive academic forum for discussion and exchange on core issues. First, the strong transformation of literary creation since the Renovation period of 1986 and in contemporary times: analyzing new creative trends, new genres, and new approaches adopted by writers in response to the challenges and demands of modern life. Second, the situation of literary theory and criticism: exploring new and modern theoretical frameworks to examine and interpret complex issues in contemporary literary works. Third, the social impact of literature and the study and teaching of literature in contemporary schools: assessing the role of Literature in shaping social awareness, fostering humanistic values, promoting the sustainable development of reading culture in the digital era, and innovations in topic selection and literature teaching in educational institutions.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Cong Hao, Head of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, presenting at the Conference
The Organizing Committee received approximately 138 papers from researchers, lecturers, and interested individuals nationwide. After the peer-review and evaluation process, 76 papers were selected for publication in the Conference Proceedings.
The papers presented at the Conference addressed literary responses to global issues such as social inequality, the environment and climate change, migration crises, ethnic conflicts, and epidemics; the role of literature in social awareness; manifestations of spiritual life and the crises of modern humans; portraits of youth; reading culture in a new context; contemporary literary criticism; preservation of literary heritage; literature teaching in schools; as well as new genre trends, stylistic innovations, and the interpenetration of literature with cinema, music, and fine arts.
Some images from the Conference
At the panel discussion session, invited guests including researcher Pham Xuan Nguyen (Hanoi Writers’ Association), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Van Gia (University of Culture), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Gia The (Hanoi National University of Education 2) shared diverse perspectives on the current state of contemporary literary criticism.
The Conference also recognized five outstanding scientific reports: Literature on the Theme of Revolutionary War after 1945 – Viewed from Cultural Philosophy (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tu – Quan doi Nhan dan Literature and Arts Magazine; MA. Nguyen Thi Vui – Dai Nam University); Vietnamese Literature and Arts in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Duc Tu – Institute of Literature); Challenges and Opportunities of Ethnic Minority Literature in the Digital Era (Dr. Do Thi Thu Huyen – Central Journal of Literary and Artistic Theory and Criticism); Narratives of Historians and Narratives of Novelists – A Way of Conceptualizing Textual Genres Sharing Historical Themes (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thoi Tan & Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Nga – Hanoi Metropolitan University); The Boom of Intercultural Literature in the Era of Integration and Digital Globalization: Reality and Trends (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Cong Hao – Hanoi Metropolitan University).
From in-depth reports and passionate scholarly debates, the Conference not only summarized achievements but also opened up new research directions and practical recommendations, contributing to improving the quality of research, teaching, and promotion of Vietnamese Literature domestically and internationally.
With its large scale and the participation of numerous experts, writers, and researchers in literature and social sciences, the Conference “Literature and Contemporary Life” created a high-quality academic forum and demonstrated the demand, interest, and efforts toward innovation among researchers, educators, and writers in response to the dynamic transformations of contemporary life.
