Part 2: Developing rowing clubs - When quantity comes with quality

In recent years, the number of Cheo clubs in the province has increased rapidly on the basis of inheriting traditional artistic values. According to the inventory, there are 234 Cheo clubs operating in 8 districts and cities, in addition to more than 300 folk art and literature clubs with Cheo singing, which is a testament to the spread and vitality of Cheo art in contemporary society.

Meritorious artist Pham Thi Cay instructs the next generation of Khuoc Cheo village.

Artists with the role of "separating the turbid to bring out the clear"

Regarding the activities of the Cheo Club in the mass movement, it is impossible not to mention the artisans who are directly preserving and teaching the art of Cheo. In the context of a constantly moving and changing society, the artisans are considered as "living cultural heritage treasures" with the role of "separating the muddy and bringing out the clear" to preserve and promote the good traditional cultural values of Cheo art in contemporary life.

Through 3 rounds of conferring the titles of People's Artist (NNND) and Meritorious Artist (NNUT), for the art of Cheo alone, the province has 1 NNND and 5 NNUT. In addition, there are many artisans who have not been awarded these noble titles but are still silently contributing to the traditional art of Cheo every day.

The valuable thing is that many artisans have families with 3-4 generations who all know how to sing Cheo, such as: Meritorious Artist Pham Thi Cay, Meritorious Artist Vu Van Thin, artisan Cao Thi Bac, all in Phong Chau commune (Dong Hung), artisan Pham Thi Tien in Minh Quang commune, artisan Luong Thi Ty in Vu Doai commune (Vu Thu), artisan Nguyen Viet Tua in Thai Phuc commune (Thai Thuy)... Different in age, gender, and profession, the common point of these artisans is their love and passion for traditional Cheo art. They are tirelessly contributing their efforts and enthusiasm to traditional ancient art by establishing and maintaining the effective operation of art troupes, Cheo singing clubs, gathering people who love Cheo singing, teaching and participating in amateur Cheo festivals and competitions held annually.

On the traditional Cheo mat, artists enthusiastically perform traditional art.

Coming from a family with a tradition of singing Cheo in Khuoc village, Meritorious Artist Vu Van Thin was taught by his father, the late artist Vu Van Phu, and famous artists of Khuoc village since childhood. Passionate about the art, he is now one of the artists who have mastered 12 ancient Cheo melodies of Khuoc village, and can perform, sing, and skillfully use musical instruments typical of Cheo art such as cricket drums, rice drums, wooden fish, and cymbals. The number of students taught by Meritorious Artist Vu Van Thin has reached hundreds in many clubs in the province. According to him, the above successes are: "All from the love for the profession, wanting to preserve the profession that our ancestors left behind." He always has a heavy heart, "How can we preserve the profession? The only way is to continue teaching the next generation of Cheo of Khuoc village together with the artists in the village so that the Cheo of Khuoc village will not be lost."

Teaching so that the village's traditional culture does not fade away is also a concern of artist Cao Thi Bac, daughter of the late folk artist Cao Kim Trach. She shared: Inheriting from her father the ancient Cheo melodies and folk excerpts of Khuoc village, I teach the young generation of the village and commune, especially the children, I have opened 3 classes to teach 30 children how to sing Cheo. I always try to contribute to "preserving the identity of the Cheo profession and attracting many generations who love Cheo and sing Cheo, only then can we build a strong team to prevent the Cheo profession from fading away.

Diverse forms of teaching

Founded from the people's interests, needs, and desire for a useful and meaningful playground, in recent years, Cheo clubs have been established and have been operating actively in many localities in the province. With support in terms of living and practicing places, mobilizing socialized funding sources and contributions from members, many clubs have invited People's Artists and Meritorious Artists to teach the art of Cheo. In addition, with their passion for Cheo, the clubs have also proactively studied, researched, practiced, prepared lessons, and produced plays. Cheo singing and dancing training classes at the grassroots level organized by the Provincial Cultural Center, cultural and sports centers of districts and cities regularly every year are also places where the art of Cheo is taught effectively and practically.

The traditional rowing club operates actively, contributing to improving the spiritual and cultural life of the people.

For over 20 years, the Cheo Club of Quoc Tuan Commune (Kien Xuong) founded by Mr. Pham Ngoc Nhu has been operating regularly and effectively. In addition to the enthusiasm of its members, the Club has been trained by the District Culture and Sports Center and the District Cheo Club to train Cheo core members. Currently, the Club has staged many ancient Cheo plays: "Truong Vien", "Tieng flute vang trang", "Vo chong ong cai"... In 2023, the Cheo Club of Quoc Tuan Commune is one of the Cheo Clubs of the district that has been trained to build a Cheo Club into a model to promote Cheo singing and dancing at the grassroots level, and to nurture positive factors in the mass cultural and artistic movement.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Nhu, Head of the Cheo Club of Quoc Tuan Commune, shared: In recent years, the locality has completed cultural institutions such as the village cultural house and the commune cultural house, creating favorable conditions for the Club to have a place to practice, thereby spreading the love of Cheo among the people. Every month, the Club has regular meetings at the commune cultural house to practice, exchange and share experiences and Cheo singing and dancing techniques.

Along with the activities of consolidating and developing existing Cheo clubs into model sites in the province, the cultural sector actively coordinates with localities to restore and maintain Cheo club activities at ancient Cheo houses.

At Ha Xa Cheo Village, Tan Le Commune (Hung Ha), to establish a Cheo Club, 40 members of all ages, with a passion for Cheo art, were taught some typical ancient Cheo excerpts and melodies by lecturers from the Provincial College of Culture and Arts, Cheo Theater, and District Culture and Sports Center; basic skills in singing, Cheo dancing, practicing dances and using some musical instruments for Cheo performances. After the training and guidance, Ha Xa Cheo Club maintained regular activities and contributed many performances to local programs.

Mr. Dinh Ba Khai, Vice Chairman of Hung Ha District People's Committee shared: We acknowledge and commend the Ha Xa Cheo Club members for their enthusiasm and passion. Hung Ha District is determined to restore and promote the value of Cheo art so that Tan Le commune Cheo mats can gradually return to the daily life of the people here. Hopefully, the Cheo singing movement of Tan Le people will continue to be promoted, and the Cheo singing will resonate far and wide so that many places and regions across the country will know about Ha Xa Cheo mats, Tan Le commune.

The vibrant activities of Cheo clubs are an important factor contributing to the restoration, preservation and promotion of the value of Cheo artistic heritage in contemporary life. This reality shows that, in order for cultural heritage to be preserved, the active participation of the community in the role of a real subject is needed. In addition, there needs to be close involvement of authorities at all levels and functional sectors in consulting and supporting management so that the activities of the clubs are in the right direction, in accordance with the policies and laws of the state and local regulations.