American singer and song of peace on sacred land of Quang Tri

The Trinh Cong Son concert, themed “Song of Peace,” took place on July 13, 2024, at Fidel Park in Dong Ha City. The event featured unique performances celebrating peace. Notably, American singer Kyo York’s rendition of a peace song left a lasting impression on the audience. His performance symbolized the love for peace and the spirit of friendship that should be fostered among nations.

Meeting with us after the Trinh Cong Son “Song of Peace” concert, Kyo York expressed his excitement and happiness that his performance of “Hay yeu nhau di” (Let’s love each other) was positively received by delegates, guests, and the audience at Fidel Park, Dong Ha City on July 13.

Despite many successful renditions of this song, Kyo York’s unique, simple, and emotional style stood out. The image of an American passionately singing in Quang Tri conveyed profound messages beyond the song’s lyrics.

Kyo York said, “This isn’t my first time in Quang Trị, but this trip is special. As the only American in the program singing Trinh Cong Son’s songs, I conveyed a message of peace that transcends race, nationality, gender, generation, and past differences, aiming for a bright future of love and friendship.”

Kyo York performs “Hay yeu nhau di” in the concert. Photo: M.D

“Hay yeu nhau di” urges everyone to love life, focus on the positive, and treat each other with kindness and compassion. “Despite personal challenges, we should love our fellow humans, as the earth is a shared home that needs care,” he said.

The “Song of Peace” program aimed to use the romantic and philosophical lens of Trinh Công Sơn’s music to convey the message of peace.

Kyo York’s singing of Trinh Cong Son’s songs in Quang Tri, a land once ravaged by war, added a poignant layer to his performance. Although a foreigner, he was embraced by the audience as a true Vietnamese artist.

He felt the warmth and hospitality of the Quang Tri people during his stay. As the lyrics of the song go... “Let’s love each other, making up for lost time/Let’s love each other, forgetting days and months/Even in nights of gunfire, even in mornings of bomb rain/Let’s give each other endless affection...”.

Kyo York (third from left), in the “Song for Peace” Concert. Photo: M.D

Born and raised in New York, Kyo York previously worked for Apple before music and a deep connection with Vietnam kept him here. As a rare American singer succeeding in Vietnam, he’s cherished for his accurate Vietnamese pronunciation and soulful voice in folk songs.

He noted that music helped bridge cultural differences between the US and Vietnam, facilitating easier communication with the Vietnamese people. Since 2011, he has performed in numerous concerts, drawing from the profound emotions of Trinh Cong Son’s songs.

He stated, "Music is a bridge connecting American and Vietnamese cultures. For 12 years, I’ve used my voice and actions to help heal past wounds between the two nations. As a foreigner living and working in Vietnam, I’m honored to be part of many artistic programs, especially those associated with Trinh Cong Son, and to sing alongside renowned artists like Khanh Ly, Anh Tuyet, and Cam Van."He expressed gratitude to singer Trinh Vinh Trinh and Trinh Cong Son’s family for trusting and creating opportunities for him to connect with the audience, especially in Quang Tri, where he sang songs of peace and friendship.

Despite his busy schedule, every year on Trinh Cong Son’s death anniversary, Kyo York prioritizes creating commemorative music videos, spreading beautiful messages about human philosophy from Trinh Cong Son’s songs. Through this, he aims to inspire positive living, especially among the youth. Kyo York has also translated many of Trinh Cong Son’s songs into English, creating bilingual music videos highly appreciated by the public.

For Kyo York, Trinh Cong Son’s anti-war and peace-themed songs have a strange appeal, making him feel emotional each time he performs. He feels a responsibility to spread the longing for peace and love for freedom from these songs to countless people who love their country and peace, fostering a spirit of friendship.

He added, “I will spread the message of peace through these songs from Quang Trị to all parts of Vietnam and other countries. Inspired by the positive reception of the “Song of Peace” program in Quảng Trị, I will continue my artistic endeavors as a “peace ambassador,” participating in long tours through many countries, including American states with Vietnamese communities, to sing Trinh Cong Son’s songs that promote love for peace and freedom to humanity.”

Kyo York and Quang Tri’s children. Photo: M.D

For Kyo York, Trinh Cong Son’s anti-war and peace-themed songs have a strange appeal, making him feel emotional each time he performs. He feels a responsibility to spread the longing for peace and love for freedom from these songs to countless people who love their country and peace, fostering a spirit of friendship.

He added, “I will spread the message of peace through these songs from Quang Trị to all parts of Vietnam and other countries. Inspired by the positive reception of the “Song of Peace” program in Quảng Trị, I will continue my artistic endeavors as a “peace ambassador,” participating in long tours through many countries, including American states with Vietnamese communities, to sing Trinh Cong Son’s songs that promote love for peace and freedom to humanity.”

Trinh Cong Son had a profound connection with Quang Tri. His famous song “Nguoi me O Ly” was inspired by a Quang Tri mother he met during the war years. This song stands as a monumental tribute to the Vietnamese mother, embodying resilience, sacrifice, and dedication to her family while dreaming of the simple joys that peace would bring to every Vietnamese life.

After the country was reunified, Trinh Cong Son returned to Quang Tri to help rebuild the war-torn province. In his 1978 essay “The Southern of Thach Han in early March,” he envisioned a bright future for Quang Tri: “Digging a canal, opening a waterway transforms the entire landscape and the lives of people... The image of a green canal appears in my mind, replaced by an enduring memory of those whose sweat and toil foster the miraculous growth in this land.”

More than 40 years since Trinh Cong Son’s presence in Quang Tri, his vision has come true. The province has indeed revived, transformed, and developed beyond the ashes of war. His hopes and dreams for a bright future for Quang Tri resonate with a shared aspiration—to turn Quang Tri, a land scarred by war, into a place of gratitude, love, compassion, and an enduring desire for peace.

Minh Duc - Ngoc Mai