Puppet storyteller

“These small puppets can tell truly great stories if the artist puts their heart into them,” artist Duong Van Hoc emotionally shared at the exhibition “Duong Van Hoc – The Storyteller Through Puppets” at the Hanoi Museum. His words evoke a world of art where puppets are not inanimate objects, but whisper stories of life and people, carrying with them the depth of Vietnamese culture.

Stepping into the exhibition space, visitors are captivated by the diverse appearances of the puppets. Each puppet has a unique form, encapsulating a story awaiting dialogue. In the "Puppets Telling Stories of Vietnamese Culture" area, the work "Dance of the Central Highlands" makes a strong impression. Three puppets dressed as mountain maidens seem to bring the scent of the mountains and forests, along with the echoing sounds of gongs and drums, and the vibrant, distinctive dance of the Central Highlands to the heart of the capital city.

Meanwhile, the puppet show "Rowing" captivates viewers with its warmth, depicting a husband and wife rowing together through the waves, reminiscent of the proverb, "With a harmonious husband and wife, even the East Sea can be emptied." Artist Duong Van Hoc stated, "I always imbue my puppets not only with the story but also with the simple, authentic voice and spirit of the Vietnamese people. Thanks to this, audiences, both domestic and international, can feel the thoughts, aspirations, and understated beauty of the Vietnamese people."

Artist Duong Van Hoc introduces the puppets to visitors. Photo: NGOC HOA

While the Vietnamese puppet section evokes a sense of national origin, the exhibition themed "Puppets Telling Stories of the World " opens up a boundless space of creativity. Standing out is a female puppet with blonde hair, deep eyes, and a multi-layered white ballet dress, appearing like a graceful swan. Through the artist's manipulation, the puppet's movements portray the final moments of the swan's life—beautiful, perfect, yet haunting. Asian culture is also vividly present in the work "Girl or Spider," inspired by the spider demon from Journey to the West. The puppet transforms into a mysterious East Asian girl in a vibrant red dress. When the control string is pulled, the beautiful outer shell separates, revealing the spider-like structure within. This transformation moment amazes the entire audience, highlighting the boundary between outward beauty and inner essence.

Equally captivating is the shadow puppet exhibition. Under the warm yellow light, the figures of children playing with pigs, chickens, and dogs appear on delicate white cloth. Simple as it is, it touches upon the memories of countless Vietnamese people. Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha (born in 1980 in Hanoi ) reminisced: “Looking at the shadow puppets, I feel like I’m reliving my childhood with those barefoot runs and the joyful calls of friends.”

The thematic exhibition opens up a world where tradition and creativity meet, where tiny puppets become a bridge bringing heritage closer to the public. More than 30 works and artifacts donated to the Hanoi Museum by artist Duong Van Hoc are not just exhibits, but also living stories that promise to continue resonating in the hearts of generations of Vietnamese people. Mr. Nguyen Tien Da, Director of the Hanoi Museum, emphasized: “What needs to be done now is to bring heritage closer to the younger generation and international friends. If we delay, the risk of it disappearing is very high. Therefore, the Hanoi Museum strives to bring performing arts, including puppetry, into its exhibition space so that the public can learn about, understand, and further appreciate our national heritage.”

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc-nghe-thuat/nguoi-ke-chuyen-bang-roi-1015555