On the 3rd day of Tet, artists offer chickens to introduce to the ancestors.

Tết thầy mùng 3, nghệ sĩ cúng gà ra mắt Tổ- Ảnh 1. — Artist Binh Tinh offers chicken to introduce to the ancestors at Huynh Long stage on the morning of the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year

Artist Binh Tinh said this is a long-standing tradition of stage artists. Particularly with the Huynh Long Ancient Opera Troupe, all participating artists gather at Nhon Hoa Communal House to show their respect and pray for their ancestors to bless their career to shine.

"This year will be the year Huynh Long troupe tries to achieve the set goals. The goal of rejuvenating the force will be the first step to create a youthful and dynamic stage" - the young manager of the Huynh Long brand said.

Tết thầy mùng 3, nghệ sĩ cúng gà ra mắt Tổ- Ảnh 2. — People's Artist Ngoc Giau and artist Binh Tinh

People's Artist Le Thuy said that in 2024, she does not expect anything more than to maintain her health to carry out unfinished plans, which are to support the younger generation of artists in rebuilding the "Golden Stage" - but with a new name with many meaningful projects, working together to do charity work.

"On the evening of the 30th of Tet, stage artists performed everywhere. On the morning of the 3rd, according to traditional customs, they all organized a meal to worship their ancestors. It was mandatory to have a boiled rooster with a chrysanthemum or rose in its mouth, symbolizing nobility and beauty," People's Artist Le Thuy shared.

Meritorious Artist Le Thien said that it started on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year. The chicken offering ceremony to introduce the Ancestor shows respect, towards the Ancestor of the profession, wishing to be blessed for the artist. "After a year of hard work, this year the stages welcomed a large audience to watch and cheer. This shows that goodness, smoothness and luck have come to the stages. The 3rd day is also the Teacher's Day, the Teacher's Day. Those who are grateful to their teachers come to visit and wish them a Happy New Year on this day. Listening to the teachings of the teachers at the beginning of the new year will give them more energy for their career to flourish" - Meritorious Artist Le Thien shared.

Tết thầy mùng 3, nghệ sĩ cúng gà ra mắt Tổ- Ảnh 3. — Artist Chan Cuong

Every year, artist Chan Cuong goes to the house of his teacher, artist Bach Long, to burn incense on the altar of his ancestors. Afterwards, he meets his colleagues at the Bach Long Children's Troupe.

"In the offering tray to the ancestors, the chicken must be a rooster with beautiful legs and beautifully decorated. This is an indispensable sacrifice in the traditional theater ceremony on the third day of Tet. My teacher is very thoughtful, after each member makes the offering, he will look at each person's chicken legs and predict the career direction so that each person can make more efforts" - the artist who was once famous for the movie "Smart Boy" expressed.

Tết thầy mùng 3, nghệ sĩ cúng gà ra mắt Tổ- Ảnh 4. — Artist Binh Tinh and Meritorious Artist Minh Nhi at the chicken offering ceremony to introduce the Ancestors.

This year, artist Kieu Phuong Loan came to burn incense at the ancestral shrine of Lac Long Quan Theatre Club very early. Members from all over the theatres and reformed opera troupes also gathered in great numbers. As a socialized unit of Tran Huu Trang Theatre, the club has the participation of three female artists: Kieu Phuong Loan, My Chi and Kim Huong.

Tết thầy mùng 3, nghệ sĩ cúng gà ra mắt Tổ- Ảnh 5. — MC Nguyen Phi Long and Meritorious Artist Bach Long

This year, Meritorious Artist Minh Nhi and artist Viet Huong offered chickens to introduce their ancestors at Truong Hung Minh art stage; Meritorious Artist Truong Son (Minh To ancient opera troupe) held a ceremony to worship their ancestors at Thai Hung Temple, District 1, the theater that once nurtured his and his colleagues' dreams of pursuing art when they participated in Minh To Children's Theater.

Artists Cong Minh and Thanh Son held a ceremony to worship their ancestors at their home, where their students also gathered to remember their ancestors. "At this moment, every artist is grateful to their predecessors who have devoted their lives to the stage. My father, the late artist Minh To, was very thoughtful in organizing the chicken worship ceremony to introduce his ancestors. He looked at the pair of chicken feet that the artists, descendants of the family, offered to their ancestors, then advised them to be serious about their artistic work," said Meritorious Artist Truong Son.

Tết thầy mùng 3, nghệ sĩ cúng gà ra mắt Tổ- Ảnh 6. — Artist Kieu Mai Ly sets out on the first day of spring on the 3rd day of Tet

MC Nguyen Phi Long - a student of Meritorious Artist Huu Chau shared: "Back then, I was still very poor. On the day of the chicken offering ceremony to introduce the ancestors, actor Huynh Quy and I saved money to buy a chicken. Each of us kept the pair of chicken legs for 6 months, hanging them on the kitchen shelf as a reminder to constantly strive" - the MC who was once famous for his role as a detective in the movie "The Case Right Next to You" of VTV 8 shared.

Tết thầy mùng 3, nghệ sĩ cúng gà ra mắt Tổ- Ảnh 7. — Actor Huynh Quy offers chicken at Lac Long Quan Stage on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year

As a veteran actor of Lac Long Quan Theatre Club, Huynh Quy has had major turning points in his career. He said that every year, being able to return to burn incense to worship his ancestors on the third day of the Teacher's Day is a meaningful activity, helping him understand more about himself as well as define his acting path more clearly.

Huynh Quy and the members of the club feel that they need to improve and cultivate themselves more when deciding to pursue acting. "Because, to gain the public's affection for you is not something that can happen overnight, but every day you have to try harder" - actor Huynh Quy confided.

Tết thầy mùng 3, nghệ sĩ cúng gà ra mắt Tổ- Ảnh 8. — Artists embody the image of Phuoc Loc Tho on the stage of Minh To troupe

According to the opera artists, this year's Tet, the burning of votive paper during the paper burning ceremony has been advised by seniors to be minimized to avoid waste and impact on the environment, reducing the risk of fire and explosion. Therefore, the artists no longer burn votive paper on the third day of Tet.

People's Artist Dinh Bang Phi said that the ceremony and chicken offering to introduce the ancestors on the 3rd day of the month is considered an occasion for artists to show their care, share, and express their gratitude to their predecessors by visiting and encouraging each other.

No matter where you are or what job you do related to art, you still maintain the kindness, sharing and optimism of the Vietnamese people.

"The meal on the third day of Tet is very important because it is the meal where the artist family gathers to prepare for the new harvest season. It is also a very warm and happy meal because it is not yet tabooed by the New Year, so the artists will discuss and share with each other about their plans.

In addition to the memorable dishes, the artist also confided, let go of the sadness and anger in the profession, and looked forward to good things in the new year" - People's Artist Dinh Bang Phi said.

People's Artist Kim Cuong said that worshiping the profession's founder has a very important meaning. Everyone working in each artistic profession must remember this meaningful day, prepare a solemn offering tray to commemorate the founder of the profession and show gratitude to the previous generations who have preserved and developed the profession to this day, bringing beautiful values to life through roles and plays.

As mentioned, offering chicken to introduce to the ancestors not only shows gratitude and remembrance to those who have contributed to the founding and development of the profession, but is also an opportunity to pray for the ancestors to bless and watch over the artist's creative work to go smoothly.