Keeping the traditional art training circuit in the trend of innovation

VHO - Reforming the public service system is not simply a matter of “merging” or “separating”, but rather a process of identifying and maintaining areas with unique values ​​to operate under a separate mechanism. In that flow, the Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) is the only unique institution in the country that specializes in training traditional arts of ethnic minorities in the Northeast region - a place to cultivate cultural human resources, nurture the “lifeblood” of heritage and contribute to preserving Vietnamese identity.

Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts contributes to preserving Then melodies

'Nurturing' cultural human resources

Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country, where each region and community contributes to creating a unified yet diverse cultural identity. In the constant changes of society, preserving and promoting traditional arts is not only the responsibility, but also the mission of those working in culture.

Art education therefore plays a special role, not only connecting the past with the present, but also creating the foundation for heritage to continue to be nurtured in contemporary life.

From art schools, the young generation is inspired with passion, nurtured with knowledge and love for national culture, so that each musical instrument, dance, and song today becomes a lasting link of tradition.

Established in 1965, Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts is one of the leading specialized training institutions in the country, with the mission of training cultural, artistic and tourism human resources for the northern mountainous provinces in particular and the whole country in general.

This is also the only unit that provides formal training in traditional art forms of ethnic minorities.

Currently, the school offers 30 majors in many fields such as music , dance, fine arts, cultural management and tourism.

Over nearly six decades, Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts has continuously innovated its facilities and built a team of lecturers who are People's Artists, Meritorious Artists, PhDs, and Masters - people who both teach, create, and "pass on" their passion to the next generation.

The school actively cooperates with theaters, art troupes and folk artists, helping students combine learning with practice, gain practical professional experience and confidently participate in performances, festivals and cultural exchanges.

Currently, the school trains 30 majors in the fields of music, dance, fine arts, cultural affairs and tourism.

Of which, 4 key national majors include: Vocal Music, Traditional Instrument Performance, Western Instrument Performance and Ethnic Folk Dance, with an enrollment scale of more than 80 students each year.

2 talent training majors: Traditional musical instrument performance and Ethnic folk dance performance art.

3 “rare” majors, with special value in heritage conservation include: Folk art – Then singing, Traditional musical instrument performance and Ethnic folk dance art. Despite difficulties in recruiting students, the school still perseveres in going to remote areas to select and maintain a stable training scale with more than 50 students per year, keeping the traditional art source uninterrupted.

The precious thing is that each admitted student is not only a "quota" but also a "cultural seed", carrying within him the mission of continuing the lifeblood of national art that is gradually fading away.

As many elderly artists leave the stage, the presence of a well-trained younger generation is a new source of vitality, ensuring that traditional cultural values ​​are continued, spread and survive sustainably in contemporary life.

From this school, many generations of artists, teachers, and cultural managers have grown up, including 3 People's Artists, 35 Meritorious Artists, and thousands of artists, actors, and cultural officers.

Generations of students and lecturers of the school have also won hundreds of domestic and international awards, with more than 50 gold, silver and bronze medals at professional festivals, and many works of art preserved in national museums.

Training associated with heritage conservation

Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts is not only a place to teach vocational skills, but also a “school in the heart of heritage” – where folk culture, music, dance, fine arts and community life blend together in every lecture.

There, each lesson and each performance is not simply an art practice, but a journey of "living with heritage", so that learners can feel, understand and continue the national cultural values ​​with both knowledge and heart.

Teachers and students of Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts won high prizes at the 2024 National Folk Performance Competition of Ethnic Groups

Preserving and promoting national culture is not only a task, but has become the school's consistent educational philosophy. This is also a way to foster the character, personality and national pride of the younger generation.

In which, the Folk Performing Arts - Then singing is a vivid proof. Since Then Tay - Nung - Thai was recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, training this art form right in the heart of the Thai Nguyen heritage area has brought about the meaning of "revival" for folk art.

As the only institution in the country that provides formal training in Then singing, the school plays the role of a "source" that helps the heritage not only to be preserved, but also to continue to spread in contemporary life.

Along with that, the Ethnic Folk Dance industry Contribute to research, restore and perform rare dances of ethnic minorities in the northern mountainous region such as Tac Xinh (San Chay), Khen Mong, Chuong Dao, Then Tay...

Many performances staged here have become "cultural ambassadors" of Vietnam on national and international stages.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong attended the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 school year of Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts.

Not stopping at the lecture hall, the school's mission also spreads through each recruitment trip to remote mountainous areas.

From Dong Van, Meo Vac to Xia Man, Trung Khanh, Bao Lac, Bao Lam... the footsteps of teachers come to each village not only to recruit students, but also to "awaken" the artistic potential hidden in the mountains and forests.

It is a journey of sowing seeds, "finding and preserving the national soul", bringing learning opportunities to deprived areas, and more importantly, preserving Vietnamese songs, dances, musical instruments, and festivals.

For nearly 60 years, Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts has become a cultural fulcrum of the upper region, contributing to preserving and spreading national identity.

The presence of the Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts plays an important role in preserving and developing unique traditional art forms. The school deserves focused investment to continue spreading the value of heritage and training artistic human resources for regions across the country.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/giu-mach-dao-tao-nghe-thuat-truyen-thong-trong-xu-huong-doi-moi-176676.html