Bringing Tuong into schools: Nurturing love of traditional art in the young generation

DNO - For over ten years, the program "Bringing school theater to students" implemented by the Department of Education and Training in collaboration with the Da Nang Traditional Arts Theater has contributed to nurturing in the young generation a love for traditional art.

Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Art Troupe performs an excerpt from "Tran Quoc Toan raises the flag" at Thanh Khe High School. Photo: XUAN TRAN

In the thousand-year flow of Vietnamese culture, tuong - a unique traditional theatrical form still resonates like the drumbeat echoing the soul of the nation.

With its resounding melodies, solemn lyrics and colorful costumes, tuong is not only a performing art but also the soul of Vietnamese identity, the crystallization of intelligence and patriotism through many generations.

Bringing Tuong into schools

When bringing Tuong into the classroom, especially in Literature and Local Education classes, the cultural heritage of our ancestors has truly come alive in the midst of school life.

In Da Nang , the activity of bringing Tuong to schools has been maintained continuously for more than a decade, creating a unique mark in cultural education. Performances and exchanges with artists not only help students understand more about traditional arts but also arouse national pride in them.

Tuong is cleverly integrated into Literature and Local Education classes as a form of experiential learning at Thanh Khe High School. The recent extracurricular activity “Introducing Tuong art in schools” by the Da Nang Traditional Arts Theater is a vivid example.

The excerpt "Tran Quoc Toan raises the flag" was performed right in the school yard. Students watched attentively, moved by the patriotic spirit of the heroic young man.

Vo Quoc Huy (grade 12/5, Thanh Khe High School) shared: “I have never seen a play performed in real life, but today I found the play very familiar. The character Tran Quoc Toan helped me understand more about patriotism and the indomitable will of Vietnamese youth. I think if we learn this way, we will remember longer and love history and literature more.”

From a simple Literature lesson, now students can live with the characters, listen to the drum beats, lyrics and feel literature with all their senses.

From lectures to cultural experiences

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thao, a Literature and Local Education teacher (Thanh Khe High School), incorporating plays into lessons helps students understand that literature is not only in books, but is life and the soul of the nation.

“Tuong is a living literature. When watching a performance, students not only learn about heroic figures, but also feel the cultural, moral and humanistic resonance. This is a very effective integrated teaching approach in the new program,” Ms. Thao shared.

This combination of art and education not only contributes to innovation in teaching methods, but also helps students develop aesthetic capacity, emotions and the ability to perceive folk culture, capacities that are especially valued by the 2018 General Education Program.

People's Artist Phan Van Quang, Head of the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Art Troupe, said that over the past ten years, the theater's artists have visited hundreds of schools to perform, exchange and guide students in learning about Tuong art.

“We want students to understand that tuong is not a thing of the past, but a living part of the present. If students are exposed to it regularly, watch it and play the role, tuong will naturally enter their lives as a source of pride,” said Mr. Quang.

These activities have helped Tuong to step out of the theater space and into the school environment, creating a strong link between culture and education. It is not only an art performance, but also a lively cultural, historical and ethical lesson.

Strengthening coordination and cooperation

According to Ms. Le Thi Lieu, Head of the Literature Group (Thanh Khe High School), bringing Tuong into schools is completely consistent with the spirit of the 2018 General Education Program, aiming at comprehensively developing the capacity and qualities of learners. In particular, it integrates the education of patriotism for the young generation.

Ms. Lieu believes that in order for this activity to be effective, it is necessary to strengthen coordination between schools and art units, develop digital learning materials, illustrative videos and experiential topics to help teachers easily integrate plays into lessons.

Besides, training teachers in exploiting folk art skills is also an important direction, aiming to turn each Literature lesson into a creative and emotional space.

“When students watch, play roles, and act, they are truly learning through experience. That is the way to instill pride and love for heritage in the hearts of the young generation,” Ms. Lieu emphasized.

Sharing the same view, Ms. Lu Thi Kim Hoa, Head of the Culture - Social Committee of Hai Van Ward People's Council, said that bringing Tuong art into schools is a form of education that is very suitable for the current context.

“Protecting the soul of national culture is not only a duty, but also a source of nurturing personality and love for the homeland in the young generation. When schools accompany artists, when students understand and love heritage, that is when culture is preserved with the most natural vitality,” Ms. Hoa affirmed.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/dua-tuong-vao-hoc-duong-nuoi-duong-tinh-yeu-nghe-thuat-dan-toc-trong-the-he-tre-3309865.html