New vitality of folk performing arts

Hanoi has a rich treasure of folk performing arts, from water puppetry, stage puppetry, to rowing, singing in the army, drum dancing, Ai Lao singing and dancing, etc. There was a time when many folk performing arts were at risk of disappearing. However, nowadays, with the investment and support of all levels of government and the cultural sector, folk art forms have found new vitality. Many localities have exploited folk art forms to develop the cultural industry.

Sức sống mới của các loại hình nghệ thuật trình diễn dân gian

Dao Thuc water puppetry stage always attracts a large number of tourists. (Photo: The Nghi)

The first groups of tourists returned to the bewilderment of the villagers and the puppet artists. But then, they gradually got used to welcoming guests. The "tour" gradually became more methodical and professional. Instead of guiding the program in Vietnamese, the puppet village also recorded in English so that international visitors could feel more clearly the art of the Vietnamese countryside.

The “young generation” of that time are now all in their 40s and 50s. Mr. Nguyen The Nghi is one of them. Once trusted as Ward Chief, he has now returned to his familiar job of being in charge of business.

He shared: “Innovating the way of thinking and doing is a long process. When seeing the puppet troupe doing well, all levels and sectors have increased their attention. Dao Thuc water puppetry has become a “model” of Dong Anh district, thanks to which, we have received investment in infrastructure, restoration of relics to preserve and promote traditional arts better. Since Hanoi issued the Resolution on Developing Cultural Industry, we have been given more conditions to “express” ourselves. Currently, in the village, there are many young people studying to perform.”

However, like most other cultural heritages, folk performing arts have a “common denominator”: Difficulties and negative impacts from war; when the country is at peace and unified, it still faces the risk of extinction due to the country’s many economic difficulties. It was not until the country opened up and the economy developed that folk performing arts gradually revived.

Young artists of the Thuong Mo Ca Tru Guild perform on stage. (Photo: Giang Nam)

This revival process is closely linked to the city's policies and guidelines. The most important of these is the City Party Committee's Program 06 on socio-cultural development, improving the quality of human resources, and building elegant and civilized Hanoians (formerly Program 04) which has been implemented over many terms. Preserving and promoting cultural heritage values is the top priority of Program 06. The city assigns responsibility to the cultural sector and localities to develop specific Programs and Plans for implementation. This is the basis for many types of folk performances to revive and develop.

Prostitute dancing with gong in Trieu Khuc. (Photo: Giang Nam)

The drum singing was once almost forgotten, but now it is strongly revived in Phuc Tho and Thuong Tin districts. Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Khanh Ha commune (Thuong Tin district) Le Van Ba, who is also the Head of the Drum singing club of Khanh Ha commune, shared that thanks to the early involvement and attention of the city's departments and agencies, the drum singing of Khanh Ha commune has been "revived" with over 300 ancient lyrics with different melodies being preserved and passed down, and the number of people practicing drum singing is increasing. Khanh Ha commune has had 4 artisans awarded the title of Meritorious Artisan.

The city also organizes many cultural and artistic programs and large festivals to introduce folk performances to the public. Typical examples include the Creative Design Festival, Hanoi Tourism Festival, Hanoi Autumn Festival, etc.

The play Tinh Hoa Bac Bo recreates and honors the beauty of village life. (Photo: Tuan Chau Hanoi Joint Stock Company)

This signals the re-development of Hanoi's folk performing arts and the initial effectiveness in implementing Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU on developing cultural industries in the capital for the 2021-2025 period, with a vision to 2030 and a vision to 2045 of the Hanoi Party Committee.

The program Old Quarter Music Stories brings together many famous artists in the field of traditional music. (Photo: Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board)