Part 3: Non-professional artists spread the art of Cheo (continued and end)

Not only in Khuoc village, Phong Chau commune (Dong Hung), but also in many villages and hamlets in the province today, the active and enthusiastic activities of Cheo clubs have made the whole village bustling. Cheo singing contributes to strengthening solidarity in the community and creating a competitive atmosphere, enthusiastic about work and production.

Ha Xa Rowing Club, Tan Le Commune (Hung Ha) was established in July 2023 and maintains a regular training program.

Restoration of ancient rowing village

Faced with the decline of Sao Den Cheo Village, Song An Commune (Vu Thu) and Ha Xa Cheo Village, Tan Le Commune (Hung Ha), in the past 2 years (2022 - 2023), the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has coordinated with the People's Committees of Vu Thu and Hung Ha districts to organize training courses on Cheo art in 2 ancient Cheo villages. Through the training courses, typical talents with love, passion and desire to contribute to preserving the Cheo art of their homeland have been found. Many members of the clubs have mastered and confidently performed Cheo. Up to now, Sao Den Cheo Club has always actively participated in Cheo Club festival programs in the district and performed on the occasion of local festivals.

Ms. Pham Thi Dung, Head of Sao Den Cheo Club, shared: Although busy with family work, nearly 20 members of the Club, the oldest of whom is over 70 years old, are trying to practice to participate in performing some excerpts of ancient Cheo and Cheo songs at the upcoming Keo Pagoda Spring Festival. In the past two Keo Pagoda Autumn Festivals, the Club's participation in performances has attracted the attention of local people as well as tourists from all over the world. At this year's spring festival, the organizing committee has also arranged fixed time slots for traditional Cheo performances, including Sao Den Cheo Club.

Mr. Le Tien Luong, Director of the Provincial Cultural Center, said: It is noted that in the ancient Cheo villages, the people are very enthusiastic, and the local government is very supportive in preserving and promoting the art of Cheo, preserving the traditions of our ancestors. Hopefully, after being restored, the ancient Cheo villages will maintain effective operations so that the art of Cheo not only contributes to improving the cultural and spiritual life of the people, but the ancient Cheo villages also become impressive destinations for community tourism .

Improve the efficiency of rowing club operations

In recent years, the system of village and residential group cultural houses has been increasingly invested in facilities, creating many favorable conditions for the operation of Cheo clubs. Cheo clubs are always the destination of many people, especially middle-aged and elderly people. Especially in the past year, the clubs have received practical support in terms of professional expertise. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has organized training courses to foster and improve professional expertise for the management board of cultural houses, the core of teams, groups, and cultural and artistic clubs in localities. In each training class, hundreds of students from villages and residential groups, in addition to being provided with documents for cultural and artistic club activities, also directly practice staging, rehearsing and performing Cheo dance and singing performances.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngung, Minh Hong village, Lien Giang commune (Dong Hung) said: I have participated in the local Cheo Club for many years now, but to practice a dance, the sisters in the Club usually have to spend several weeks, even months. After being trained and enthusiastically guided by the instructor, after only 2 days we were able to perform, everyone was very excited. Through that, we also feel more responsible in innovating the Club's activities.

Ms. Hoang Thi Binh, Vu Bien village, My Loc commune (Thai Thuy) shared: The trainees who participated in the training are all typical art performers in their villages and residential groups. However, their singing, dancing and staging skills are still limited. Through the training, the trainees have improved these skills.

Mr. Pham Xuan Truong, a member of the Dong Village Cultural House Rowing Club, Tan Hoc Commune (Thai Thuy), said: Training activities are very necessary for the rowing clubs of residential areas to create a movement, promote the development of the club's activities, meet the training needs of members, as well as have more special programs to serve the holidays and events taking place in the locality. This is an even more practical activity to maintain the effectiveness of the clubs' activities to meet the criteria of a model residential cultural house set by the district.

An important event for the grassroots cultural cadres was the end of 2023, when a mass art festival of typical cultural villages and residential groups in the province took place. This was also an opportunity for clubs to exchange, learn, and demonstrate their talents and passion for the art of Cheo. Also in the past year, the contest for writing scripts, Cheo stage skits, and Cheo songs was held for the first time, practically serving the training activities at grassroots clubs. The active participation of authorities at all levels, functional branches, and the consensus and response of all classes of people will be the lever for the art of Cheo to spread more and more in the rice fields of Thai Binh .