Dr. Pham Thi Thanh, a Meritorious Artist and talented contemporary theater director of Vietnam, former Director of the Youth Theater, passed away on the evening of September 3rd in Hanoi at the age of 84.
She was born in 1941 into a family with a tradition of scholarly achievement. Her father was Pham Khac Hoe, who played a major role in persuading Emperor Bao Dai to abdicate and was trusted by President Ho Chi Minh. He was the person who drafted the abdication edict for Emperor Bao Dai on August 22, 1945.
She inherited a love for literature from her father and a sweet Hue singing voice from her mother. Her mother directly guided her to choose performing arts as her lifelong pursuit. From a young age, she nurtured artistic dreams.
At the age of 14, she joined the Central Art Troupe, where she met and formed a relationship with Meritorious Artist Dao Mong Long. In 1970, she was sent by the state to the Soviet Union to study theater directing. After 7 years, she returned to Vietnam and, together with director Ha Nhan, wrote the proposal to establish the Youth Theater.
The proposal was accepted, and in 1987, the Youth Theater was established. Ms. Ha Nhan became the Director, and director Pham Thi Thanh became the Deputy Director. The first training course included many individuals who later became renowned artists.
She directed over 200 plays, nearly 20 of which won Gold Medals, and several others won Silver Medals at various theater arts festivals. She directed the Ceremonies for the
Youth Theater
The Youth Theater is a cultural institution dedicated to producing performances for and often by young people. It emerged prominently in the 20th century as part of a wider movement to make theater accessible to younger audiences and to provide a creative outlet for their expression. These theaters serve as vital training grounds, fostering the next generation of performers, technicians, and theater-goers.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union was a socialist federal state that existed from 1922 to 1991, formed after the Russian Revolution. It was a one-party state governed by the Communist Party and became a global superpower, engaging in the Cold War with the United States. The union dissolved in 1991, fracturing into 15 independent post-Soviet states.
Central Art Troupe
The Central Art Troupe was a prestigious state-sponsored performing arts company in China, established in 1960 to promote revolutionary culture. It was dissolved during the Cultural Revolution but later re-established, becoming known for its large-scale performances of music, dance, and opera that often carried political and patriotic themes.
Hue
Hue served as the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Its most prominent feature is the Imperial City, a vast, walled complex that was the seat of the emperors. Today, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its historic monuments, royal tombs, and ancient pagodas.
Vietnam
Vietnam is a Southeast Asian nation with a rich history spanning over 4,000 years, marked by Chinese domination, a French colonial period, and the Vietnam War. Its cultural landscape is defined by ancient temples, bustling cities, and breathtaking natural wonders like Ha Long Bay.
Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and one of the most ancient capitals in the world, with a history dating back over a thousand years to 1010 AD when it was established by Emperor Lý Thái Tổ. The city is renowned for its rich culture, well-preserved colonial architecture, and vibrant Old Quarter, alongside significant landmarks such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature.
Emperor Bao Dai
Emperor Bảo Đại was the 13th and final ruler of the Nguyễn Dynasty, who reigned as the last emperor of Vietnam from 1926 to 1945. His reign was defined by a lack of political power, as Vietnam was under French colonial rule, and he ultimately abdicated in 1945 following the August Revolution. His name is also associated with his numerous lavish villas, particularly the “Bảo Đại’s Summer Palace” in Đà Lạt, which is now a popular museum and tourist attraction.
President Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh was the revolutionary leader and first President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). He is most famously known for leading the Viet Minh independence movement against colonial rule and for his pivotal role in the Vietnam War. Today, his preserved body is on display in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, which is a major site of pilgrimage and veneration.
