Keep the traditional source for the future

Teaching folk songs to students in Hoi An. Photo: TTBTDSHA

Special "young people"

In the field of traditional arts, training the next generation requires the dedication of both teachers and students. In response to the need to preserve and promote the precious folk opera of Quang Nam, the Quang Nam Opera and Drama Troupe has made efforts to rejuvenate its team over the years.

Nearly 20 years ago, a new generation of young faces appeared such as Quang Viet, Thu Uyen, Truong Dieu, Phuong Tinh… in the play “The Evil Children” by director - People's Artist Xuan Huyen, bringing a new breath of life to the traditional stage.

Director Xuan Huyen once shared that this choice is a long-term development strategy for Quang Nam folk opera. From this foundation, a new generation of actors was nurtured such as Hong Trang, Phuong Thuy, Ngoc Quoc, Ta Tan, Linh Giang.

As a young actor force of Quang Nam Opera Troupe, one of the outstanding factors is Hong Trang, who is also over thirty years old.

Students of Nguyen Binh Khiem Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities (Tra Doc Commune) perform gongs. Photo: PV

Actress Hong Trang shared: “In fact, pursuing traditional art is not just a day or two, and to stand firmly on stage, in addition to years of persistent training and cultivation, I also absorbed the art of Bài Chòi from my mother's womb. Although my father was a first-generation actor of Quảng Nam opera, I studied pedagogy. After graduating, I participated in a number of performances and then joined the Quảng Nam Opera Troupe in 2011 and have been with him until now. And the school that teaches Bài Chòi art is the family tradition. This is both an advantage and a limitation when there is no professional training environment for those who want to pursue their passion.”

It can be seen that the “young people” in the traditional arts field often stick with the profession as a matter of fate and are past their twenties. For example, in the gong art of the Co and Ca Dong people in Tra My region, Mr. Duong Linh of the Co Young Gong Team is now over 30 years old.

He shared: “Although it was advantageous to be taught the art of gongs very early by my father, Meritorious Artisan Duong Lai, it was not until I was 25 that I began to realize the need to learn systematically from the previous generation. After more than a year of diligent practice, I have now mastered gong performances. The most regrettable thing is that I pursued traditional arts late, past the time when youth is also an important factor in gong performances, but fortunately I was still in time to preserve the precious values of my ancestors.”

According to Mr. Duong Linh, gongs have been ingrained in the blood and flesh, but they have awakened the awareness of cultural roots and preserved for future generations when Resolution No. 36 dated December 21, 2021 of the People's Council of Bac Tra My district on preserving and promoting traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities in the district for the period 2022 - 2025, with a vision to 2030, was implemented. At this time, teaching and performing activities were built and implemented systematically.

After the above Resolution 36 was implemented, up to now, Tra My region has established 20 gong clubs at commune and village levels and 6 gong clubs for students in schools in ethnic minority areas. In 2023, 8 more gong teams were established in communes; from 2024 - 2025, the focus will be on teaching, purchasing gongs, performance costumes, etc.

Preserve for future

There is nothing more effective in preserving and promoting the value of traditional art than bringing art into life. Little by little, those who take on the responsibility of transmitting it are still diligently sowing seeds for the next generation. Bringing the art of Bài Chòi into schools, performing in community activities, tourism , performing gongs in festivals or teaching in schools... are activities that have been carried out for many years.

Actors of Quang Nam Opera and Drama Troupe teach and sing Bai Choi at Nguyen Van Troi Primary School, Ban Thach Ward, Da Nang City. Photo: Quang Nam Opera and Drama Troupe

Actress Hong Trang, in addition to ensuring professional activities at the Quang Nam Opera and Drama Troupe, also participates in performing Bai Choi in primary schools in Da Nang city.

“How to make children enjoy and have initial ideas about the art form of Bài Chòi is a concern not only for me but also for generations in this field. I am very happy that every time I perform, the children receive it with love. Regarding the singing content, I also have to research and compose to suit the age, especially on historical topics,” actress Hồng Trang shared.

In Hoi An, the teaching of folk songs has also achieved many positive results. Ms. Tran Thi Thu Ly (Performance - Event Department, Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center) said that folk song classes are implemented at primary and secondary levels and each year 2 schools are selected to implement.

“The teaching has been carried out for many years, but the number of children who choose to stick with traditional art is very rare. Recently, the activity of children learning to sing folk songs at Kim Bong rural market has attracted the attention of the public, especially foreign tourists. We will continue to devote ourselves to spreading traditional art in life, naturally and sustainably,” Ms. Thu Ly shared.

Regarding the preservation of gong art, Mr. Vu Hoang Tam, Principal of Nguyen Binh Khiem Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities (Tra Doc Commune) said: “The school focuses on two main activities: teaching gong and organizing Tet for students. The school has established a gong team consisting mainly of boarding students and holds activities every Thursday evening. In the beginning, the school invited artists such as Ho Van Dinh and Ho Thanh Van to teach. Every November and March, the school organizes gong competitions and Tet for students to contribute to preserving the cultural identity of the highland people.”

Source: https://baodanang.vn/giu-mach-nguon-truyen-thong-cho-mai-sau-3301158.html