The village that tells stories on the water.

Located about 25km from the center of Hanoi, Thuy Lam commune (Dong Anh district) still retains the soul of a Northern Vietnamese village. Not only famous for its ancient communal houses and temples, it is also known as a cradle for outstanding artisans of Vietnamese water puppetry. A stone stele at the village communal house clearly records the history of water puppetry in Dao Thuc village. The founder of the craft was Dao Dang Khiem, an eunuch under the Later Le Dynasty, who directly taught and developed the water puppetry troupe here.

For over 300 years, Dao Thuc water puppet village has maintained the vitality of traditional folk art. Here, there are more than 20 puppet shows, including ancient puppet plays based on the daily lives of farmers such as plowing, frog catching, and fishing... or plays with storylines from folk tales like Thach Sanh and Tam Cam... and especially plays deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture such as dragon dance, four-spirit dance, and folk singing...

Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Thoa, 65 years old, shared: “For each performance, going into the water is an honor for the people of Dao Thuc village. Behind the curtain in the water pavilion, we artists pour our hearts into each puppet and story. Controlling the wooden puppets to most closely resemble human movements is something not everyone can do. On average, each performance has about 10 people: singers, actors, and prop bearers.”

Distinguished Artisan Nguyen Thi Thoa introduces the art of Dao Thuc water puppetry.

In 2023, the water puppetry art of Dao Thuc village was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. However, before that, this folk performing art had faced many difficulties and was in danger of disappearing over time. The artisans had to find new ways to maintain, preserve, and develop the puppetry craft in the area.

According to artisan Dang Thi Hoa, 61 years old: “Every year, the water puppetry troupe opens one or two classes, taught by us artisans, to pass on the craft to the next generation. Classes usually start in the summer, held on Saturdays and Sundays, with each course having 30 to 50 students. Each student learns the craft for about a year, then performs in real-world settings for two years before being officially recognized as a water puppetry artisan. Water puppetry not only requires talent but also diligence, patience, and a love for the craft.”

Moreover, the artisans of Dao Thuc water puppet village are proactive and creative in approaching the market. Instead of performing once a year, water puppetry is now regularly performed to serve tourists and promote tourism. On average, the water puppetry pavilion welcomes 10-15 groups of visitors each month who come to see and enjoy the art of water puppetry.

For over 300 years, through many ups and downs, the Dao Thuc water puppetry has been preserved and spread to the community by dedicated artisans and villagers. From generation to generation, artisans pass on the secrets of the craft, and together they innovate the art of water puppetry to keep pace with the times.

According to the People's Army

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/ngoi-lang-ke-chuyen-tren-nuoc-a417930.html