Rebirth in the art of puppetry

Puppetry is not just a folk performance, but also a way for Vietnamese people to tell stories. Through the skillful hands of the artisans, the puppets dance to the music, carrying the breath of nature, the laughter of the countryside, and the life lessons passed down through generations. Currently, the art of puppetry lacks the attention of young audiences. If only the original form is preserved, puppetry will be difficult to reach the public; if innovation is not done carefully, it may erode and dilute the value of the heritage. Therefore, it is necessary to re-communicate and design sustainable experiences that both touch the hearts of young people and preserve the cultural heritage.

Driven by this concern, a group of students majoring in Entertainment and Event Management from the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, organized the event "Puppet Show of a Thousand Images." Nguyen Khanh Linh, the head of the organizing committee for the "Puppet Show of a Thousand Images" event, shared: "Through conversations with puppeteers, we realized the subtle beauty of puppetry and from there we organized the 'Puppet Show of a Thousand Images' event, hoping to spread the art of puppetry to the community, especially young people. I hope that each person watching the performance will experience a touch of the Vietnamese soul, so that the culture not only exists but lives in the hearts of today's generation."

A group of students from the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts, Vietnam National University , Hanoi, created the program "Puppet Show with a Thousand Images".

Ms. Do Thi Tra My, Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee of the "Puppet Show" event, expressed: "To connect with the art of puppetry, young people need a novel yet familiar experience. The goal of the project is not to modernize puppetry, but to redesign the experience and re-communicate it sustainably. From there, we aim to restore the emotional connection between young audiences and puppetry, while broadening perspectives on traditional culture."

In addition, the Vietnam Puppet Theatre will collaborate with the group, providing professional support and becoming a reputable "cultural anchor," ensuring the standards of the entire project. The theatre will provide performance space and a team of experienced artisans, overseeing artistic censorship and performance safety throughout the entire process.

See, hear, touch puppetry.

The title "Puppet Dance of a Thousand Images" evokes the image of puppet dances, creating countless images and perspectives. Embarking on the journey of "Puppet Dance of a Thousand Images," the audience is transported back to the origins of puppet art through Chapter 1: "When the Soul of the Craft is Sown." The setting unfolds like a realm of rural memories, where the hands of farmers created the first puppets from banyan leaves and reeds. These simple materials have transformed into "seeds of culture," sown with the meticulousness and love of the artisans.

Moving on to Chapter 2: "When Sound Resounds," the audience discovers the secret of how sound ignites emotion and soul in the art of puppetry. Music and sound in puppetry are the "secret language" that helps convey the meaning and mood of the puppets. Participants will be explained by the artisans how they "translate" each movement of the puppets into drum sounds, tapping, and music.

Notably, the experience is also enhanced when visitors can try controlling the puppets themselves according to the sound, to clearly feel the need to adjust each hand movement to match the rhythm.

The group of students who performed the "Puppet Show" handmade gifts to thank the attendees.

The journey concludes in Chapter 3: "When Culture Touches Life." This chapter most clearly showcases the characteristics of puppetry, allowing participants to realize that puppetry is born from the daily lives of the Vietnamese people. Labor activities, rural markets, children's laughter, and the rhythm of village life... all become sources of inspiration for puppet performances. The puppets, therefore, are no longer just traditional symbols, but pieces of life that are very close, authentic, and full of emotion. The concluding chapter opens with the realization that culture exists all around us, and puppetry is a mirror reflecting life in a simple yet evocative way.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc-nghe-thuat/gen-z-danh-thuc-di-san-mua-roi-1013709