The vibrant and bustling atmosphere is currently sweeping through the central streets of Hue city, at the stages within the Imperial Citadel of Hue, as various performances by both domestic and international art troupes are being grandly and impressively organized.
The emotional music night by artist Steve Barakatt took place on the evening of June 10th amidst the sparkling, fantastical ambiance of hundreds of glass lanterns illuminating the Thieu Phuong Garden, inside the Imperial Citadel of Hue, bringing many exciting experiences to visitors. This concert was part of the Hue Festival 2024, as well as a segment of Steve Barakatt’s renowned global tour “Néoréalité,” which has attracted audiences in major cities across Europe, Asia, and North America, including a debut at Carnegie Hall.
Steve Barakatt beside a piano in the Imperial Citadel of Hue.
Through his musical journey, artist Steve Barakatt guides the audience to explore the world, starting from his beloved homeland of Quebec in Canada – where the artist was born – to his parents’ homeland of Lebanon. The emotional live performance of the UNICEF anthem composed by Barakatt was one of the most iconic moments of the concert. According to Mr. Shawn Steil, the Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam, “The concert by the world-renowned Canadian artist at the Hue Festival provides a special opportunity to build bridges and honor the friendship between the two countries through the universal language of music”.
The dazzling, mystical lights during Steve Barakatt’s concert.
For over three decades, Steve Barakatt has been a composer, pianist, music producer, and creative director who has won numerous prestigious awards. His works quickly climbed the charts in many countries around the world. Steve Barakatt has collaborated with artists, recording labels, studios, leading brands, and organizations on hundreds of projects worldwide.
He has performed in over 500 live shows over five continents. Steve Barakatt’s music has been featured on hundreds of TV series and movies, as well as major television programs and sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup and the F1 Grand Prix. To date, he has sold over 5 million albums worldwide, and his music catalog has reached 250 million views on YouTube.
The “Néoréalité World Tour” brings an extraordinary musical journey through Steve Barakatt’s highest-rated compositions, including world-class piano performances from his latest album, some of the best pieces from previous releases, and some of Steve Barakatt’s most famous national anthems, including the UNICEF anthem, which premiered from the International Space Station in 2009.
On June 10th, as part of the International Art Hue Festival Week 2024, the Hispano music group from Spain took the audience on a special adventure, immersing them in Spanish culture. This was their first night performing at the Quoc Hoc Hue stage.
The artistic program of Hispano drew inspiration from classic works such as the Concierto de Aranjuez concert through tango dances, Asturias melodies by Albéniz, along with zapateo dances and the joy that Flamenco music brings.
Hispano is a Flamenco music group from Barcelona, Spain, consisting of 3 members: Raúl Heredia (cello), De la Vega (guitar), and Ruth Quesada (dancer). The music of Hispano combines the elegance of classical Spanish music with the fervor of Flamenco rhythms.
Hispano music group performing at the Quoc Hoc Hue stage at 8 p.m.
In the Hispano group, De la Vega plays the guitar and dances “zapateo” simultaneously. The combination of the three members creates magnificent performances that keep the audience applauding continuously. The audience enjoying the performance includes people of all ages, but most were captivated by the artists.
Also at the Quoc Hoc Hue stage, before Hispano, the Double Impro dance group from Wallonia Bruxelles, Belgium, made for an impressive music night.
With a Hip-hop culture background, the Double Impro dance group represents innovative art as their works require spontaneous interaction with the audience, breaking the norms of traditional programs. The Double Impro dance performance received constant applause from the audience. The stage lights, in purple, blue, yellow, red… along with the cheers of the audience, made the atmosphere in this area vibrant, overshadowing the rain.
Double Impro dance group.
Established in 2020, the Double Impro dance group with 4 artists performs mainly based on spontaneous interaction with the audience. Double Impro proves that dance can be shared. Sharing and exchanging are the central elements of this art form.
There are many different dance styles, but the artists of Double Impro naturally apply variations to interact with the audience. The viewers are immersed in this experience when they have the opportunity to interact directly with the artists. The purpose of interactive art is to gather, blend styles, break norms, and provide vivid and unique experiences each time it is performed.
According to the dance group, the “Conversation” program that Double Impro introduced to the audience at the Hue Festival 2024 is a performance form that brings together artists from various platforms to share their stories through dance. As its name implies – “Conversation” revolves around authentic exchanges, questions, mutual understanding, humility, and balance.
A large audience came to watch the artists perform.
During the performance, dancers meet on stage as if meeting for the first time, and through movements, they weave an intimate conversation. Each movement, dance, gesture is a response to what the other dancers offer, creating a harmonious transition between different artistic expressions. The dancers not only share skills and techniques but also subtle expressions, experiences, and emotions, thereby creating a profound and captivating dialogue with the audience. “Conversation” honors diversity, connection, and the power of non-verbal communication through dance.
Bringing the Festival to the hospital is a program held at the Central Hospital of Hue, where the Eisa Urakaji Drum Dance Art Troupe (Japan) participated in the Hue Festival 2024 performances.
Excited since early morning, patient Hồ Bảo T., undergoing treatment in the Functional Rehabilitation Department, was aided in a wheelchair by family members to wait for the troupe 30 minutes early. T. said he had been hospitalized for 7 months, so he was eager to watch the variety of cultural performances and music to change the atmosphere. “For the past few days, I’ve only been following the Hue Festival 2024 on social media, but unexpectedly tonight, I got to watch the live performances. How fun!”
The Eisa Urakaji Drum Dance Art Troupe was established by the Okinawa International University in 2002, with the mission of building and infusing new performances combining drums and lions, while still maintaining the performance style and characteristics of traditional Okinawan art.
The Eisa Urakaji Drum Dance Art Troupe performs at the Central Hospital of Hue, serving the patients here.
Eisa is a traditional dance with a long history, originating from a folk song dating back hundreds of years, maintained and developed throughout Okinawa – the southernmost prefecture of Japan.
Through the Eisa dance, the people of Japan express reverence for their ancestors during lively summer festivals. Dancers with beautiful, energetic movements along with the sound of Taiko drums create a powerful, youthful vigor, reminiscent of the name “Urakaji” (translated as: refreshing).
Text: Q.Lien, Photo: Organizing Committee
