Weekend Coffee: When Memories Meet Contemporary Breath

In the days leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival, Hang Ma Street is once again filled with the colors of lanterns, masks, drums and countless modern industrially produced toys. Amidst that brilliance, the revival of to he - a traditional toy made from rice flour - in a rather new form has surprised and moved many people.

One of the people who contributed to creating a new story for to he is the young artisan Dang Van Hau. Coming from the craft village of Xuan La (Phu Xuyen), with his love for to he, he has been exploring new directions for traditional toys: Restoring lost ancient models, and at the same time creating to he sets with a breath of the times. When the to he set recreating “The Mouse Wedding” costs up to 12 million VND, or the “Light Procession” set is elevated to an award-winning work of art, people realize that to he is not just a cheap folk toy, but has entered the realm of fine art, of collection and display.

The appearance of to he on Hang Ma Street during this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival also reflects a social need: Vietnamese people, especially the younger generation, are looking for their cultural roots. When industrial plastic toys become popular and lack identity, to he with purely natural materials, carrying within them folk stories, becomes an attractive choice. The to he sets recreating ancient stories, Dong Ho paintings, or national history not only evoke memories for adults but also sow the seeds of cultural understanding for children.

The rise of the Mid-Autumn Festival to he this year is a clear proof: Tradition is never out of date, we just need to know how to revive its value and breathe new life into it. In the cycle of global integration, folk toys not only preserve childhood memories, but also contribute to shaping Vietnamese identity in the eyes of international friends. Hopefully, to he and traditional games will have longer stories, have more opportunities to appear, and not just stop at seasonal stalls. To do that, it certainly requires not only the love and efforts of young artisans, but also the companionship of consumers who appreciate national culture.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/ca-phe-cuoi-tuan-khi-ky-uc-gap-hoi-tho-duong-dai-717492.html