'Dong Ho - the Worldly Tale': A proud decoding of heritage by the young generation
WVR - On the evening of December 14, as the lights dimmed in the auditorium of the Hanoi University of Culture, the echoes of “Dong Ho - the Worldly Tale” continued to linger in the hearts of the audience. Drawing not only hundreds of young spectators, but the event also brought together a distinguished line-up of respected guests and renowned artists, all witnessing a bold and striking reinterpretation of a classic Dong Ho folk painting.
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| The offering scene in "Rat's Wedding". (Source: Organizing Committee) |
The event took place just as the Dong Ho folk painting craft was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in urgent need of safeguarding. The timely relevance and meticulous investment turned the performance into a professional art space, far exceeding the scope of a student project.
The program began with an academic atmosphere "softened" by an open dialogue between generations of torchbearers. Instead of dry lectures, the audience listened to the heartfelt concerns of artisan Nguyen Huu Dao.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by handmade paintings against the wave of machine-printed art, but affirmed that it is the "sweat and craftsmanship" that preserve the soul of Dong Ho. Following the artisan, researcher Nguyen Hung Vy helped viewers see the satirical meanings behind the strokes: "The cat symbolizes authority, while the rat represents the voiceless populace. This contrast is golden material for the stage".
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| Researcher Nguyen Hung Vy shares the meaning of the painting. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
These foundational insights became the perfect springboard for actor/choreographer Hieu Nguyen to bring the idea of "from stillness to motion" to life. She revealed that she instructed the amateur actors to practice "standing still but exuding energy", so that when they stepped onto the stage, they truly embodied characters emerging from the painting.
The most anticipated part, the play "Dong Ho the Worldly Tale", did not disappoint the audience. The script daringly incorporated fantasy elements by having a young female artist character "drawn" into the painting she was creating.
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| The wedding-funeral scene in the play "Dong Ho in the Modern World". (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Here, the familiar story of the "Rat's Wedding" is completely overturned. No longer a joyous occasion, the wedding turns into a tragedy when Lord Cat suddenly dies after a celebratory drink. The stage lighting sharply shifts from the jubilant red of celebration to the cold blue of mourning, pushing the characters into a tense confrontation.
The emotional peak is the chaotic scene between the wedding and the funeral. The sound of festival drums "tung", "cak" intermingles with the mournful trumpet, as those in wedding attire blend with the funeral procession. The upheaval of values, the cowardice of the Village Chief, and the cruelty of the henchmen starkly depict the so-called "world affairs".
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| The program attracted a large audience. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Witnessing this performance, Dr. Trinh Le Anh (MC/Editor of Vietnam Television) – Advisor and Host of the program, could not hide his surprise. He admitted he went "from curiosity to admiration" as the students dared to voice their generation's perspective: "You are creative, unconventional yet very respectful of culture. That is what I most expect from the youth".
Concluding the performance, the message from the artist character "If we only bow to power, we will never know what freedom is" received resounding applause from both the audience and expert guests.
The success of "Dong Ho- the Worldly Tale" proves that with community involvement, corporate support, and the creative mindset of the youth, heritage will not remain dormant in display cases but will come to life vibrantly and attractively.
