Preserving and shining the quintessence of art in the land of rice and rowing

In 1959, according to the decision of the Provincial Administrative Committee, the Thai Binh People's Cultural Team was established, which is the cradle for the province's professional Cheo art to be nurtured and developed. After 65 years of construction and growth, from the Cultural Team to the Cheo Troupe, then the Cheo Theater as it is today, generations of artists, actors, musicians, and workers of the Cheo Theater have not only contributed to affirming the position of a professional art unit but also practically preserved and promoted the unique intangible cultural heritage that is being submitted to UNESCO for recognition as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. To better understand the 65-year journey of preserving and glorifying the quintessence of Cheo art, Thai Binh Newspaper reporter had an interview with Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Artists of Thai Binh Cheo Theater spread traditional arts at Keo Pagoda Festival in autumn 2024.

Reporter: Could you please share about the 65-year process of formation and development of Thai Binh Cheo Theater?

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: In the past and present, the art of Cheo has been deeply attached to the cultural and spiritual life of Thai Binh residents. Before the August Revolution in 1945, with the joy of "morning puppetry, evening Cheo" on the occasions of festivals and holidays of the people, many Cheo villages and Cheo troupes of Thai Binh were recorded in history books. Since the August Revolution, in the propaganda activities to build a new life and encourage the "resistance and national construction", many artists in Cheo troupes have actively participated in propaganda, agitation, and promoting patriotism, serving political tasks with their Cheo profession. When the Thai Binh People's Cultural Team was established, the members at that time were all the core of the arts mobilized from all over the countryside to serve propaganda, carry out political tasks, especially in the early years of implementing the agricultural cooperative movement and fighting against the destructive war of the American invaders. From the effectiveness of propaganda work, in 1967, the Provincial Administrative Committee decided to upgrade the People's Cultural Team to Cheo Troupe. In the movement of "singing to drown out the sound of bombs" in the locality and then the volunteer cultural team to serve the front line, Thai Binh Cheo artists enthusiastically volunteered to participate. After the country's reunification, meeting the needs of people from all walks of life to enjoy art, each year the Cheo Troupe performed hundreds of shows in all villages and communes in the province and in many provinces and cities across the country. Thai Binh artists have had many performances to bring Cheo art to international friends. During long tours in Europe and Japan, classic Cheo plays such as "Quan Am Thi Kinh", "Luu Binh Duong Le", "Tong Tran Cuc Hoa"... with the unique nuances of Thai Binh Cheo have been admired by many international friends and audiences. With the attention, encouragement, and investment in all aspects of the province, the efforts to overcome all difficulties, and the affirmation of the artists' passion and dedication to traditional art, the Cheo Troupe has gradually affirmed its position as an art unit originating from the land of Cheo, which is the basis for the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee to issue a Resolution on March 8, 1997, identifying "Step by step striving to turn the Thai Binh Cheo Troupe into an art troupe of national stature".

On December 26, 2003, the Provincial People's Committee issued a decision to upgrade the Cheo Troupe into the Cheo Theatre. On May 9, 2019, the Cai Luong Troupe and the Song and Dance Troupe were merged into the Cheo Theatre, in line with the socio-economic development conditions on the new journey; overcoming difficulties and continuing to promote the artistic passion of artists to serve the political tasks of the province with increasingly practical results.

Reporter: Could you please share the results of the work of preserving and promoting the art of Cheo on the professional stage?

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: After 65 years of construction and development, the Cheo Theatre has achieved many proud achievements in preserving and promoting the precious cultural heritage of our ancestors. With audiences who love Cheo at home and abroad, through tens of thousands of performances, hundreds of long and epic Cheo plays, thousands of scenes, Cheo songs with various themes, the "rice country" artists have contributed to shining and spreading the quintessence of traditional art. In addition, the Cheo Theatre is also a place to discover, nurture seeds, and train Cheo talents to become actors and musicians with Thai Binh Cheo qualities, from here spreading to operate in almost all Cheo theatres and professional Cheo troupes throughout the country. Recognizing the achievements and great contributions of generations of artists of the Theatre, in national competitions and performances, there are gold and silver medals for performances and individual actors and musicians. Up to now, the Cheo Theatre has had 7 artists awarded the title of People's Artist, 24 artists awarded the title of Meritorious Artist, showing the attention of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, Provincial People's Committee, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other departments and branches for the professional activities of the Theatre. At the same time, the achievements have not only been the pride of the Cheo Theatre and individual artists, but also demonstrated the valuable contributions of the Party Committee and people of Thai Binh to the field of preserving and promoting national cultural identity over the past half century.

The folk opera "Between two clear and murky streams" performed by artists and actors of the Cheo Theatre.

Reporter: Along with the achievements, traditional theater is also facing many difficulties. Could you please share about the development orientation of Cheo Theater to contribute to the glory of traditional art?

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: In recent decades, traditional stage arts in the country in general, and Cheo art in Thai Binh in particular, have encountered many difficulties and challenges in terms of sustainable development. Along with the objective reasons of changes in the tastes of young audiences, the rapid development of information technology has led to more and more types of entertainment being introduced, it must be admitted that Cheo stage is lacking good scripts on modern topics. Besides, in the current market trend, resources and mechanisms are not suitable to retain young talents as well as meet the creativity of artists; there is a lack of effective cooperation between units and businesses related to the cultural field in general and performing arts in particular...

The art of Cheo Thai Binh has been included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. On April 1, 2024, with the pride of the people of the rice fields and the provinces of the Red River Delta, the Cheo art dossier chaired by Thai Binh province was approved by the Prime Minister and submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. In order to preserve the value of traditional Cheo art left and passed down by the previous generations, development orientations have been set for the Cheo Theater in the next stages to be worthy of tradition, on par with the increasing needs and tastes of the public:

Firstly , diversifying forms of artistic activities according to the motto of promptly responding to and best serving the political tasks of the locality and the needs of the public. Focusing on doing a good job of propagating and disseminating the viewpoints, guidelines, policies, and laws of the Party, the State, and the province's direction on preserving and developing traditional art forms, including Cheo art. Strengthening political, ideological, ethical, and lifestyle education for the artist team; consolidating the solidarity and unity within the Theater's collective.

Second , continue to advise on mechanisms and policies for treatment, attraction, training and nurturing of young Cheo artistic talents that are latent in localities in the province; invest in facilities for the Theatre to create motivation to promote artistic activities. Pay attention to ensuring a good life for generations of artists of the Theatre, especially young artists, so that all members join hands and unite in activities to preserve and promote traditional arts.

Third , professionalize the staging and performance activities of the Theater to meet the needs of rapid and modern development of art. Harmoniously combine the staging of art programs participating in national competitions and festivals with the activities of preserving and improving the quality of the Theater's existing programs. The creation and staging of new programs should prioritize topics about Thai Binh land and people, especially topics that reflect the breath of contemporary life.

Fourth , pay attention to sending staff to participate in training directors, scriptwriters, and choreographers; fostering skills and professional singing and dancing skills for the Theater's actors. Promote effective implementation of socialization of the Theater's activities. In addition to investment capital from the state budget, the Theater needs to mobilize resources from sponsors for program staging and performing arts.

Fifth , build a digital transformation program and plan for the Theater. Digitize and preserve Cheo plays, especially ancient Cheo plays, and promote and advertise Cheo art to a wide range of people.

Proud of the 65-year tradition of building and developing professional Cheo in Thai Binh in general and Cheo Theater in particular, we believe that on the new journey, generations of artists will improve their expertise and skills, promote the combined strength of art forms, contribute to making Cheo art shine on Cheo land, practically so that this traditional art form will soon be recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Reporter: Thank you very much!