Connecting cultures, feeling the difference

For the first time, the 1st International Performing Arts Festival 2023 attracted people and tourists to enjoy. The unique and lively art performances were elaborately staged by domestic and foreign art troupes, leaving a lasting impression in the hearts of Vietnamese people...

Different from water puppetry

Each program brings a difference, each performance performed by the artists dedicates to the public the best of their culture. Like Vietnam, water puppetry leaves the best impression on the people. This traditional art form, which is very familiar to the North, is interesting, attractive, and new to the people in the South, which sometimes they only see in real life from a young age. Mr. Nguyen Trung Truc, an audience member, said: "From childhood to adulthood, this is the first time I have seen Vietnamese water puppetry so real and vivid. It brings me many emotions, joy, excitement and surprise. I think only Vietnam has this unique art form. With the staging of two water pavilions on two corners of the stage, although modest, the artists of the Vietnam Puppetry Theatre have vividly recreated the whole culture with performances: Agricultural games; Duck catching assessment; Buying Bat Tien; Singing Van Dai; Spiritual dance; Dragon dance; Singing Ca Tru; Fishing; Children's water play...

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Hong shared: “Back then, I saw it on TV, but I had never seen it outside. Now, I am over 50 years old and have just seen real water puppetry. My feeling is that it is very joyful and lively. The artists have recreated the labor and production features of Vietnamese people, but what I love is seeing young people soaking in the water to serve the audience”. Water puppet artist Nguyen Lan shared: “Although I have performed all over the world, this is the first time coming to Binh Thuan, so we have brought the best performances to serve, with the message of conveying traditional Vietnamese culture to domestic and foreign tourists”.

It can be said that in addition to the outstanding works that international troupes brought to the audience, the water puppetry performances by the artists of the Vietnam Water Puppetry Theatre must be acknowledged as excellent. Audience member Nguyen Thi Linh also commented: "There are many good performances but still impressed with water puppetry because it is unique and interesting. I hope there will be more programs like this to serve the public."

Connecting culture, promoting tourism

With the theme “Creative Connection”, the International Performing Arts Festival was held in Phan Thiet city, as the first step to lay the foundation for building a cultural and tourism brand typical of Binh Thuan province, creating long-term and sustainable investment attraction in Binh Thuan.

Mr. Bui The Nhan - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said: The first International Performing Arts Festival in 2023 - Binh Thuan, Vietnam is organized to improve the spiritual life of the people and contribute to promoting the development of culture and tourism in the process of integration and sustainable development of Binh Thuan province. At the same time, the festival contributes to introducing to domestic and international friends and tourists the cultural identity and unique performing arts of Binh Thuan province in particular and Vietnam in general. Thereby, creating opportunities for a large number of people, artists, intellectuals and scholars of Binh Thuan province in particular and Vietnam in general to exchange and absorb international cultural arts, especially performing arts.

International artists interact with Vietnamese audiences

With the gathering of more than 300 artists and actors from 7 international and Vietnamese art troupes. In addition, the festival also attracted more than 10 independent young artist groups to participate in grand music concerts and street festivals such as: puppetry, circus, variety, amateur music... directed by scriptwriter - general director Le Quy Duong, bringing a new breath, different from many previous programs.

Although it was sunny, the audience still came to watch and cheer enthusiastically for the performing artists.

The main space is the stage on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street. During the past 3 days, the International Performing Arts Festival also has community stages serving many unique performing arts programs such as: street performances; international performances, outdoor world peace concerts and parades; symphony performances; grand concerts... In addition, the festival also has other activities such as international seminars on the topic "Building Phan Thiet to become an international training and performing arts center"; training in professional skills in performing arts.

Tobias Biancone, General Director of the World Association of Performing Arts, said the International Performing Arts Festival is opening its doors and bringing performances from other countries to Vietnam. This also gives Vietnamese works the opportunity to reach the international stage, bringing Vietnamese artistic creativity to people around the world, and bringing amazement to communities and individuals around the world. Furthermore, this festival is a stepping stone to making Phan Thiet a unique destination for performing arts in both artistic and educational aspects.