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Singer Gemma Nguyen proudly performs at the celebration of the 80th National Day in Italy. |
The Embassy of Vietnam in Italy hosted the 80th National Day celebration on September 18 at Palazzo Brancaccio, one of Rome’s most elegant historic palaces. On this occasion, Gemma Nguyen, whose birth name is Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, was invited to perform and also entrusted with the role of artistic director for the cultural program.
Italy holds a special place in her artistic journey. It was here that she pursued her dream of becoming an opera singer, studying for five years and earning a master’s degree in opera performance from the Alfredo Casella Conservatory. Returning to Vietnam, she has quickly become a familiar name on the stages of major cultural events. Though trained in classical opera, Gemma has forged her own path, blending classical techniques with Vietnamese folk music as a way of bringing the Vietnamese language to international audiences.
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Vietnamese artists participating in the celebration |
Her creativity extends beyond singing. National anniversaries have inspired her to write original songs. Taking part in parades in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the South Liberation and National Reunification and the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, she was inspired to compose “Proud of Vietnam.”
At the Palazzo Brancaccio, she delivered the song in both Vietnamese and Italian. The performance, with its operatic grandeur and epic tones, received long applause from both Vietnamese and international guests. “I devoted two months to composing this piece, using everything I learned in Italy to give it a heroic and operatic resonance. My hope was to express national pride and the honor of being Vietnamese, while also creating a bridge of friendship between Vietnam and the world,” she said.
The celebration itself carried an atmosphere of solemnity, warmth, and solidarity between Vietnam and Italy. Delegates were delighted to wear red scarves with yellow stars symbolizing the Vietnamese flag and enjoyed many traditional Vietnamese dishes. The rich and refined flavors of Vietnamese cuisine left a deep impression on international guests, further spreading appreciation for Vietnamese culture.
Following the ceremony, Gemma and a troupe of Vietnamese artists traveled to several European countries. Wherever they went, she chose symbolic locations to sing and record well-known Vietnamese songs. At Berlin Cathedral, she performed “Nguoi Con Gai Song La,” while at ETH Zurich University in Switzerland she sang “Xa Khoi.” These moments were captured on video as part of her ongoing effort to introduce Vietnamese music to the world.
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Singer Gemma Nguyen with fellow Vietnamese artists at the parade celebrating the 80th National Day |
“Every time I sing, I want to convey love and national pride,” she reflected. “I may not be the best, but I believe that when a Vietnamese stands on foreign soil and sings with all his/her heart, it is no longer just music, it becomes a declaration of a beautiful and resilient homeland. I sing because I am proud to be Vietnamese,” said Gemma.
Translated by Tran Hoai