The resounding melodies of traditional Vietnamese opera (cheo and cai luong) welcome the 14th National Congress of the Party.

In anticipation of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, on January 17th and 24th, the Vietnam National Traditional Theatre will stage two performances: the Cheo play "Bac Le Sacred Temple" and the Cai Luong play "The Night Sun of the Century".

The program is designed as a meaningful "spiritual nourishment," not only celebrating the beauty of traditional theater but also aiming to cultivate love for the homeland, especially among the younger generation, bringing national art closer to contemporary life.

The traditional Vietnamese opera "Bac Le Sacred Temple" recreates the tenacious struggle of the people of Bac Son region in their journey to protect Bac Le Temple – a sacred place of worship for the Mother Goddess Thuong Ngan. In the context of their homeland being invaded and danger constantly lurking, the people here remain steadfast in preserving their worship of the Mother Goddess, folk singing, and long-standing spiritual values, considering them the soul of their village and national culture.

Excerpt from the traditional Vietnamese opera "Bac Le Sacred Temple"

In this work, characters such as Bà Đền, Thị Nhường, and the image of a child who loves the songs of their homeland are developed with rich symbolism, becoming embodiments of traditional culture and the spirit of preserving and continuing heritage. The play clearly portrays the spirit of unity and courage of the people as they are ready to sacrifice to protect the sacred space – the repository of cultural roots and spiritual beliefs of generations.

The unique aspect of the work is the harmonious combination of traditional Cheo theater with Hat Van – a form of folk singing closely associated with the worship of the Mother Goddess. The Hat Van melodies incorporated into the performance not only create emotional depth but also contribute to the sacred atmosphere of Bac Le Temple, helping the audience better understand the connection between the stage and the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

Meanwhile, the cải lương play "The Night Sun of the Century" explores historical themes, praising the achievements of Emperor Quang Trung – Nguyen Hue, who transformed the Tay Son movement from a peasant uprising into a national liberation struggle, changing the historical destiny of the country.

The work not only recreates glorious achievements but also delves into the ideological path and arduous choices of the humble hero.

Throughout the play, the image of Quang Trung – Nguyen Hue emerges in multiple dimensions. He is not only a military genius, a brilliant politician , and a beloved general, but also a flesh-and-blood human being with very ordinary emotions. Behind the majestic and valiant exterior of the military general is a loving and understanding husband to Princess Ngoc Han; and a devoted older brother to his younger brother Nguyen Lu.

The image of Quang Trung – Nguyen Hue in the Cai Luong play "The Night Sun of the Century"

The play dedicates many scenes to depicting the challenging period before Nguyen Hue decided to lead his army from Phu Xuan north to decisively defeat the Qing army, a time when separations, losses, and broken family bonds leave viewers with a sense of regret. It is precisely from these ups and downs that the image of Quang Trung, the "sun," shines even brighter amidst the darkness of national history.

Through this work, the public will gain a better understanding of a glorious period in the nation's history, recognizing that behind the resounding victories were countless silent sacrifices made by heroes who dedicated their entire lives to the country.

The traditional Vietnamese opera "Bac Le Sacred Temple" will be performed at 8 PM on January 17th, and the modern Vietnamese opera "The Night Sun of the Century" will be performed at 8 PM on November 24th at the Kim Ma Theater in Hanoi .

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/am-vang-cheo-cai-luong-chao-mung-dai-hoi-lan-thu-xiv-cua-dang-20260113081219951.htm