Preserving and showcasing the artistic essence of the rice-growing region and traditional opera land.

In 1959, by decision of the Provincial Administrative Committee, the Thai Binh People's Performing Arts Troupe was established, serving as the cradle for the professional development of Cheo (traditional Vietnamese opera) in the province. Over 65 years of development, from the Performing Arts Troupe to the Cheo Troupe and then the Cheo Theater as it is today, generations of artists, actors, musicians, and workers of the Cheo Theater have not only contributed to affirming the position of a professional art unit but also practically preserved and promoted the unique intangible cultural heritage that is being submitted to UNESCO for recognition as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. To better understand the 65-year journey of preserving and glorifying the essence of Cheo art, a reporter from Thai Binh Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Artists from the Thai Binh Cheo Theatre spread traditional art at the Keo Pagoda Autumn Festival in 2024.

Reporter: Could you please share the 65-year history and development of the Thai Binh Cheo Theatre?

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: In the past and present, the art of Cheo (traditional Vietnamese opera) has been deeply intertwined with the cultural and spiritual life of the people of Thai Binh. Before the August Revolution of 1945, with the joy of "puppet shows in the morning, Cheo shows in the evening" during festivals and holidays, many Cheo villages and troupes in Thai Binh were recorded in history. After the August Revolution, in the propaganda activities to build a new life and encourage the "resistance war and national construction," many artists in Cheo troupes actively participated in propaganda, mobilization, and encouragement of patriotism, serving political tasks through their Cheo art. When the Thai Binh People's Performing Arts Troupe was established, its members were all key figures in the arts mobilized from all over the country to serve propaganda and carry out political tasks, especially in the early years of implementing the agricultural collectivization movement and resisting the destructive war waged by the American invaders. Thanks to the effectiveness of the propaganda work, in 1967, the Provincial Administrative Committee decided to upgrade the People's Performing Arts Team to a Cheo (traditional Vietnamese opera) Troupe. During the "singing drowns out the sound of bombs" movement in the locality and subsequently the shock troupe serving the front lines, Cheo artists from Thai Binh enthusiastically volunteered to participate. After the reunification of the country, to meet the artistic needs of all segments of the population, the Cheo Troupe performed hundreds of shows annually in villages and communes throughout the province and in many provinces and cities nationwide. Thai Binh artists have also presented Cheo art to international friends. During long tours in Europe and Japan, classic Cheo plays such as "Quan Am Thi Kinh," "Luu Binh Duong Le," and "Tong Tran Cuc Hoa," with their unique Thai Binh Cheo style, were widely admired by international friends and audiences. With the province's attention, encouragement, and investment in all aspects, and the artists' efforts to overcome difficulties and affirm their passion and dedication to traditional art, the Cheo Troupe has gradually affirmed its position as an art unit originating from the land of Cheo. This served as the basis for the Provincial Party Standing Committee to issue a Resolution on March 8, 1997, which stated, "We will gradually strive to make the Thai Binh Cheo Troupe a national-level art troupe."

On December 26, 2003, the Provincial People's Committee issued a decision to upgrade the Cheo Troupe to the Cheo Theater. On May 9, 2019, the Cai Luong Troupe and the Song and Dance Drama Troupe were merged into the Cheo Theater, in line with the socio-economic development conditions on the new path; overcoming difficulties and continuing to promote the artistic passion of the artists to serve the province's political tasks with increasingly practical effectiveness.

Reporter: Could you please share the results of your efforts in preserving and promoting Cheo (traditional Vietnamese opera) on the professional stage?

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: Over 65 years of development and growth, the Cheo Theatre has achieved many proud accomplishments in preserving and promoting the precious cultural heritage of our ancestors. For Cheo lovers both domestically and internationally, through tens of thousands of performances, hundreds of long and epic Cheo plays, and thousands of Cheo scenes and songs with diverse themes, the artists of this "rice-growing region" have contributed to glorifying and spreading the essence of traditional art. In addition, the Cheo Theatre is also a place for discovering and nurturing Cheo talents, training them to become actors and musicians with the essence of Thai Binh Cheo, from which they spread to perform in almost all Cheo theatres and professional Cheo troupes throughout the country. In recognition of the great achievements and contributions of generations of artists, the Theatre has consistently won gold and silver medals for performances and individual actors and musicians at national competitions and festivals. To date, the Cheo Theatre has had 7 artists awarded the title of People's Artist and 24 artists awarded the title of Meritorious Artist, demonstrating the attention of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and other departments and agencies to the professional activities of the Theatre. At the same time, the achievements are not only a source of pride for the Cheo Theatre and the individual artists, but also reflect the valuable contributions of the Party Committee and people of Thai Binh to the preservation and promotion of national cultural identity over the past half-century.

The folk opera "Between Two Streams, Clear and Murky" is performed by artists and actors from the Cheo Theatre.

Reporter: Alongside its achievements, traditional theater is also facing many difficulties. Could you share your vision for the development of the Cheo Theater to contribute to the revitalization of traditional art?

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: In recent decades, traditional theatrical arts nationwide in general, and Cheo theater in Thai Binh in particular, have faced numerous difficulties and challenges to sustainable development. Alongside objective reasons such as changes in the tastes of young audiences and the rapid development of information technology leading to the influx of various forms of entertainment, it must be acknowledged that Cheo theater is lacking good scripts on modern themes. Furthermore, in the current market trend, resources and mechanisms are not yet suitable to retain young talent or meet the creative needs of artists; there is a lack of effective cooperation between units and businesses related to the cultural sector in general and performing arts in particular...

Thai Binh's traditional Cheo (Vietnamese folk opera) art has been included in the national list of intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. On April 1, 2024, with the pride of the people of the rice-growing region and the provinces of the Red River Delta, the dossier on Cheo art, compiled under the leadership of Thai Binh province, was approved by the Prime Minister and submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. To preserve the traditional Cheo art values passed down from our ancestors, development directions have been set for the Cheo Theater in the following stages to live up to its tradition and meet the increasingly sophisticated demands and tastes of the public:

Firstly , diversify artistic activities with the aim of promptly and effectively serving the local political agenda and public needs. Focus on effectively disseminating the Party and State's viewpoints, policies, and laws, as well as the province's directives on preserving and developing traditional art forms, including Cheo (traditional Vietnamese opera). Strengthen political, ideological, moral, and lifestyle education for the artists; consolidate unity and solidarity within the theater's collective.

Secondly , we will continue to advise on mechanisms and policies to attract, train, and nurture young, promising talents in traditional Vietnamese opera (cheo) in localities throughout the province; and invest in the theater's infrastructure to create momentum for artistic activities. We will pay attention to ensuring a good quality of life for generations of artists at the theater, especially young artists, so that all members can work together wholeheartedly to preserve and promote traditional art.

Thirdly , professionalize the theater's staging and performance activities to meet the rapidly developing and modern demands of the arts. Harmoniously combine the staging of artistic programs for national competitions and festivals with the preservation and improvement of the theater's existing programs. New program composition and staging should prioritize themes about the land and people of Thai Binh, especially those reflecting contemporary life.

Fourth , focus on sending staff to participate in training for directors, scriptwriters, and choreographers; and improving singing and dancing skills for the theater's actors. Promote the effective implementation of the socialization of the theater's activities. In addition to investment capital from the state budget, the theater should leverage resources from sponsors for program staging and artistic performances.

Fifth , develop a digital transformation program and plan for the theater. Digitize and preserve traditional Vietnamese opera (cheo), especially classical cheo, and promote cheo art to a wider audience.

Proud of the 65-year tradition of building and developing professional Cheo theater in Thai Binh in general, and the Cheo Theater in particular, we believe that on this new journey, generations of artists will hone their expertise and skills, promote the combined strength of various art forms, contribute to the glory of Cheo theater in the land of Cheo, and practically help this traditional art form to soon be recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Reporter: Thank you very much, sir!