The Village Tells Stories on Water

After more than 300 years, Dao Thuc water puppet village has maintained the vitality of traditional folk art. There are more than 20 plays here, which are ancient puppet plays originating from the daily life of farmers such as plowing, catching frogs, fishing... or plays with plots from folk tales such as Thach Sanh, Tam Cam... and especially plays imbued with the cultural life of Vietnamese people such as dragon dance, four sacred animals dance, singing and dancing...

Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Thi Thoa, 65 years old, shared: “For every performance, getting into the water is an honor for the people of Dao Thuc village. Behind the curtain in the water pavilion, we artisans put our heart and soul into each puppet and each play. Controlling the wooden puppets to make them resemble human movements is something not everyone can do. On average, for each performance, we have about 10 people, including singers, performers, and prop providers.”

Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Thoa introduces the art of Dao Thuc water puppetry.

In 2023, Dao Thuc village's water puppetry was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. However, before that, this folk performing art had encountered many difficulties and was at risk of disappearing over time. The artisans had to find a new direction to maintain, preserve and develop the puppetry here.

Artisan Dang Thi Hoa, 61 years old, said: “Every year, the water puppetry troupe opens 1 to 2 classes, taught by us artisans to pass on the craft to future generations. Classes usually open in the summer, every Saturday and Sunday, each course trains 30 to 50 students. Each student will study the craft for about a year, then perform for two years before being recognized by the government as a water puppet artist. Water puppetry not only requires talent but also diligence, patience and love for the profession.”

Not only that, the artisans of Dao Thuc water puppetry village are also proactive and creative in approaching the market. Instead of performing once a year, up to now, water puppetry is regularly performed to serve tourists and promote tourism. On average, each month, the water pavilion welcomes 10-15 groups of visitors to visit and enjoy the art of water puppetry.

Over the past 300 years, through many ups and downs, Dao Thuc water puppetry has been preserved by artisans and villagers with great enthusiasm, spreading the craft to the community. From generation to generation, artisans pass on the secrets of the craft to each other, together innovating the art of water puppetry to suit and keep up with the flow of the times.

According to People's Army

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/ngoi-lang-ke-chuyen-tren-nuoc-a417930.html