The capital 'tells history', creative and lively!

Reenactment of the image of the army marching to take over Hanoi during the historic moment of October 10, 1954. (Source: VGP)

The program “Culture Festival for Peace” to celebrate the anniversary of 70 the year of Liberation of the Capital took place on 6/10 with the highlight being the live performance recreating the important historical moment of the Capital and the country on October 10, 1954, when the army marched to take over the Capital. The festival recreated familiar images such as Long Bien Bridge, where the army marched; Hanoi Flag Tower, where the red flag with yellow star fluttered during the first flag-raising ceremony.

The main stage of the event, elaborately staged, recreated historical relics and famous places associated with the capital such as the five city gates, Doan Mon gate, Long Bien bridge and Hanoi flagpole.

Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake that day, I suddenly remembered an entrance exam for the Faculty of Broadcasting and Television of a journalism school. When asked: “Name the five gates of Hanoi”, a female student who grew up in Hai Ba Trung district innocently listed: East Gate, West Gate, South Gate, North Gate. When the examiner asked about the remaining gate, she just smiled to cover her embarrassment. If only this program had been organized earlier, the female student would not have fallen into such an awkward situation.

Indeed, the previous history lessons were mainly taught in school. Although it was called History, the content was Math because there were too many numbers: dates, numbers of troops, equipment, casualties, etc. The teaching and learning methods did not help students have their own feelings about historical events.

For a long time, young people have been "reputed" for hating history and not understanding their ancestors. video The stereotype of “Quang Trung and Nguyen Hue are brothers” has only deepened the prejudice. It was not until recent years that the GenZ generation and social media have “cleared up the generational injustice”. If in the past, history lessons were mainly taught in schools and books, now, you have countless ways to access history quickly and accurately.

“Historical content” is also trending, similar to songs and sayings of young people. Tiktokers and Youtubers are not only storytellers but also artistic creators, making historical events more vivid and closer than ever. They “understand” the language, interests and behaviors of their peers, thereby creating historical content that is suitable and close to viewers. Slang phrases and viral sentences cleverly tell historical stories.

It is wonderful that the Hanoi Party Committee has caught up with the trend and understood the youth! No long speeches, no old songs… the program helps participants relive the atmosphere of the days of flags flying 70 years ago, admire the heroic troops returning to take over the capital, and understand more about the iconic structures that have been written about in poetry. Going to Hoan Kiem Lake to watch the parade suddenly became a “trend”, even though young people had to wake up very early to get a good spot.

Thanks to the creativity in the organization, the “Cultural Festival for Peace” not only successfully completed its political mission but also helped participants deepen their historical memories of the Capital, inspiring them to learn and explore. Joining the joyful atmosphere of the Capital, the program helped many young people in Hanoi have the opportunity to understand and love the city they live in more, appreciate the contributions of previous generations, and arouse in them a deep pride in their homeland and country.