Vietnamese soul in a foreign land

Far from home but with the Fatherland always in their hearts, young Vietnamese people in Japan persistently nurture their love for national culture, spreading Vietnamese beauty to international friends. The community art group V-Artists (VAO - Vietnamese Artists in Osaka) was born as a "common home" of young, enthusiastic hearts, attached to the identity of their homeland.

Spreading Vietnamese identity in Japan

Mai Anh, a member of the V-Artists group, shared that the process of establishing and operating the group was not easy. Most of the members are studying and working, so arranging schedules to gather, brainstorm ideas, and practice is always a challenge. “For the whole group to be present at a meeting or practice, sometimes it takes weeks. Each person has their own work and pressure, but everyone tries to share and arrange so as not to miss a practice session,” Mai Anh said.

A traditional Vietnamese art performance in the program Pride of a Country

Not only do we lack time, the group also lacks experience in organizing professional events. Every step from script writing to stage setting is learned while doing. Funding is also limited, most activities are based on the spirit of volunteerism and contributions from the members themselves. “Sometimes we prepare costumes, props and logistics ourselves. Although it is hard, everyone is happy because it is a common effort and a love for Vietnamese culture,” Mai Anh shared.

The enthusiasm and solidarity have helped the group gradually overcome difficulties. From a few initial members, V-Artists has become a united collective, accompanying many activities to promote Vietnamese culture in Osaka. The main activities of V-Artists focus on organizing and participating in cultural and artistic programs, performing traditional musical instruments, and folk songs to introduce the image of Vietnam to international friends. "When the zither was played, many young Japanese people were curious to learn more. That was when we felt proud that traditional Vietnamese music could touch the hearts of international friends," Mai Anh emotionally recounted.

A memorable mark of V-Artists was participating in the Vietnam Festival in Osaka - an annual event that brings together a large Vietnamese community with Japanese and international friends. The group brought traditional conical hat and lotus dance performances mixed with modern performances, creating a new fusion. Japanese audiences not only enjoyed Vietnamese music but also felt the friendly and close spirit of the Vietnamese people. Previously, V-Artists also organized the art program Proud of a strip of land and rivers, attracting more than 1,000 audiences including overseas Vietnamese, international students, interns and international friends from many localities in the Kansai region such as Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara...

Aspirations of Generation Z

The interesting point of V-Artists is that it does not stop at one genre but is divided into many small groups: Music, Dance and Traditional Dance. This combination helps the program to be rich, close to the youth but still imbued with the Vietnamese soul. Thanks to this grouping, in addition to big events, V-Artists also accompanies the community in small activities such as the Mid-Autumn Festival for Vietnamese children in Osaka, organizing lion dances and children's songs. "Seeing children far from home still carrying lanterns and enjoying feasts, we feel like we are bringing a part of our homeland to the next generation. That is a great happiness," Mai Anh said.

For Mai Anh, the greatest pride is being Vietnamese. Far from home, every time she looks back at the Fatherland on important holidays, she feels both regretful for not being able to attend in person, and happy that in Japan there is still a Vietnamese community standing up to organize and preserve identity together. “VAO - abbreviation of Vietnamese Artists in Osaka - Vietnamese artists in Osaka. This name is also a reminder that, no matter where we are, we, young Vietnamese people, can still do proud things, constantly improve ourselves, nurture our dreams, live in harmony, unite to spread the spirit of patriotism and the strength of national unity. That is the best way to show gratitude to our homeland,” Mai Anh said.

The story of Mai Anh and V-Artists in Osaka is a testament to the strong vitality of Vietnamese culture in the hearts of young people. Amidst countless difficulties, they still persevere to keep the fire burning, weaving a cultural bridge between the homeland and international friends. These activities not only warm the hearts of the overseas Vietnamese community but also contribute to affirming the spirit of patriotism and national pride - which always flows in the veins of every Vietnamese person. "VAO is not only for singing, dancing, and performing, more importantly, it is a place for us to preserve and promote Vietnamese culture together, so that even though we live in a foreign land, each person always remembers that we are children of the Fatherland," Mai Anh shared.

LIBRA

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hon-viet-noi-dat-khach-post814404.html