Wings to the dream of reaching out to art

VHO - On the eve of the 80th anniversary of National Day, September 2, Ho Chi Minh City received good news: Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater was officially inaugurated after more than two years of construction. This is a project that is considered a breakthrough, contributing to the completion of the network of modern cultural institutions, bringing the city closer to the goal of becoming the leading cultural industrial center of the country.

Panoramic view of Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater from above

Stage of great works

Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater is located on an area of ​​10,000m² on Lu Gia Street (Phu Tho Ward), with a total investment of 1,395 billion VND, a scale of 2 basements and 12 floors, and a total floor area of ​​nearly 30,000m².

The highlight is the 2,000-seat main auditorium, integrated with a modern stage system, meeting many complex performance types such as flying trapeze, hanging, controlled falling on the raised and lowered stage floor system, lake, ice rink... In addition, the project has a 300-seat practice auditorium, exhibition - conference area, large capacity dining - kitchen and multi-functional terrace.

According to the orientation, the theater will operate in a variety of ways: circus performances, puppetry, musicals, concerts, festivals, conferences, exhibitions; at the same time, develop educational activities, art experiences, MICE services and community events.

The project was approved by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee in late 2019, but construction will not officially start until April 2023. After more than 28 months of construction, the project has been completed and entered the testing phase, preparing for operation.

According to Mr. Vo Duc Thanh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Civil and Industrial Construction Investment Project Management Board, the investor, the project has very high requirements for technology and progress. “All items apply modern technology, meeting international standards, from stage mechanics, safety systems to diverse performance organization functions,” said Mr. Thanh.

The implementation process marks the coordination between many prestigious domestic and foreign units. The project establishment and basic design unit is Afmea Cirus Group (Kingdom of Belgium). The main construction is undertaken by the joint venture of Luu Nguyen Construction Company Limited and Construction Corporation No. 1 (CC1).

The supervision work is carried out by Construction Technology, Equipment and Inspection Consulting Joint Stock Company (Coninco), a unit that is considered to have the leading reputation in the field of inspection. Thanks to that, the requirements on quality, safety and progress are guaranteed…

In the next phase, the City's Civil and Industrial Construction Investment Project Management Board said it will continue to provide detailed instructions on the process and technical support for beneficiaries to effectively use equipment and technology; put into operation on schedule, officially serving audiences from the end of 2025...

2,000-seat multi-purpose performing arts stage

Spiritual gifts for children and people of the city

According to Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater is a spiritual and cultural gift for children and people of the city, and is also a typical artistic activity venue, contributing to realizing the goal of building a civilized, modern, and affectionate Ho Chi Minh City.

“The Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress identifies culture as the spiritual foundation and endogenous driving force for socio -economic development and international integration. Ho Chi Minh City has approved the project to build the city into a center for cultural industrial development, associated with investment in modern, regional cultural infrastructure. In particular, this project is a testament to the priority of resource allocation, perfecting the network of cultural institutions in parallel with urban infrastructure development,” Ms. Thuy emphasized.

Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater has been directed by the leaders of the City Party Committee and People's Committee for many periods, aiming to improve the spiritual life of the people, promote the value of the former Phu Tho racetrack land, and at the same time create conditions for the development of art forms and artists, serving the city's cultural industry.

The Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee expressed that, after completion, the theater will not only be a place for circus and diverse arts performances but also a center for professional training, including circus techniques, stage arts and especially training in modern stage system operation skills, contributing to the formation of a high-quality technical workforce for the city.

Regarding operation, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is assigned the responsibility of management, with the beneficiary being the Ho Chi Minh City Art Center. The city is developing a detailed operation plan, including a plan to train professional and technical staff. In the first phase, hiring a professional operating unit is necessary; the goal within the next 5 years is that the project will be operated autonomously according to the public service unit model, ensuring effective and sustainable exploitation.

Ms. Tran Thi Dieu Thuy said that this is a particularly meaningful time when the city has become a city of more than 14 million people, the number of artists is increasing, and the people's demand for cultural enjoyment is also higher. Therefore, she suggested that the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the City Art Center and related units continue to coordinate closely in operations, closely follow the actual situation to promptly propose solutions, immediately handle arising problems, and avoid projects being delayed in operating properly.

“The inauguration of the project is just the beginning. The important thing is to put it into operation as soon as possible, organize practice sessions on stage, and prepare the first program to serve children and the city's public,” the Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee emphasized.

Big boost for cultural industry

Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theatre is an important milestone, closely linked to the strategy of building and developing Ho Chi Minh City's cultural industry, playing a core role in the value chain, connecting performing arts with cultural tourism, night-time economy, creative entertainment, training, international cooperation and cultural exchange. The goal is to enhance the position of Ho Chi Minh City on the regional map, becoming a driving force for the development of the cultural industry of the whole country.

(Mr. TRAN THE THUAN, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City)

Mr. Tran The Thuan, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that the inauguration of the Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theatre is just the beginning. The important task ahead is to exploit and operate it effectively, turning it into a regional cultural and artistic destination, contributing to the goal of developing the cultural industry. According to the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this project is an important milestone, opening up a journey to exploit and maximize the value of the circus and multi-purpose activities. The operation of the theatre is closely linked to the strategy of building and developing the cultural industry of Ho Chi Minh City, playing a core role in the value chain, connecting performing arts with cultural tourism, night-time economy, creative entertainment, training, international cooperation and cultural exchange. The goal is to enhance the position of Ho Chi Minh City on the regional map, becoming a driving force for the development of the cultural industry of the whole country.

The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City added that the city's leaders and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism always pay attention to the development strategy of the cultural and sports industries. In the coming time, the Department will participate in discussions at the City Party Congress and important meetings on the project to develop these two industries. This is a great strength of Ho Chi Minh City, especially in the context of the city expanding its development space and effectively exploiting new potentials.

With a high sense of responsibility, the Department will direct the City Art Center to coordinate with other units to organize many rich art programs, both imbued with national identity and approaching modern creative trends, meeting the cultural enjoyment needs of the people.

The appearance of Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theatre is considered by experts to be a big boost for the cultural industry of Ho Chi Minh City. The project is not only a place to stage circus, musical, and multimedia art programs that meet international standards, but also a destination for foreign art troupes. This is also a training space, connecting the creative community, contributing to raising the standards of art training. With its central location, the theatre promises to become a cultural tourism highlight, extending the length of stay and promoting the night-time economy .

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/chap-canh-giac-mo-nghe-thuat-vuon-tam-162997.html