The "country artists"

Foreign tourists listen to the bamboo flute performed by Mr. Chu Van Thim.

Located in the core area of Trang An Scenic Complex, Thai Vi Temple has long been known as a famous spiritual tourist destination, marking the golden age of the Tran Dynasty. In particular, every visitor who comes here is impressed by the very familiar image of an old man over 80 years old, simple in a brown shirt with a gentle smile and a white beard. That is Mr. Chu Van Thim, from Van Lam village, Ninh Hai commune (old) now Nam Hoa Lu ward.

Mr. Chu Van Thim shared: "As a temple keeper, one must not only be proficient in worship rituals, but also act as a tour guide, helping visitors thoroughly understand the history of the Vietnamese people in general, and the beauty of the land and people of the ancient capital Hoa Lu in particular."

To do that, he spent a lot of time researching books and newspapers, collecting folk stories about the merits of the Tran Kings. He was also willing to spend time chatting and sharing with tourists the knowledge and information about the history of the nation and the locality that he knew.

In particular, during his more than 20 years as the custodian of this temple, he also used music as a language to promote the history, culture and people of the ancient capital. Mr. Thim is able to play many traditional musical instruments: monochord, flute, drum, clapper, panpipe... and can perform many musical genres from cheo, xam, cai luong to even foreign music. In addition, with his basic communication skills in French and English, Mr. Thim also makes many tourists admire his sophistication and friendliness in his reception.

Just a few words of “Bonjour”, “Welcome to Thai Vi Temple” or questions about health, introductions about the homeland and country of Vietnam, pronounced slowly but clearly, are enough for visitors to feel the goodwill and hospitality of the old man. After that greeting are the simple, rustic melodies from the monochord that he invented.

Many tourists expressed surprise and impression when an old man over 80 years old could use both music and foreign languages to start a cultural conversation so gracefully. Ms. Elisa Mueller (German tourist) shared: “When he played the instrument, all of us gathered around. We wanted to listen. We wanted to feel. The melodious, soulful sound of the instrument in the spiritual space really moved me. It is a feeling that I think I can hardly find anywhere else.”

*Mr. Chu Van Thim with the monochord he made.*

With more than 20 years of experience in the historic temple, Mr. Thim considers music as a way to “communicate” with tourists, to contribute to promoting the image, culture, and friendly, gentle Vietnamese people to domestic and international friends. Without needing a long introduction, his music itself tells the story of the glorious Tran Dynasty, the ancient beauty, and the peace that the land of Trang An bestows on those who visit.

Mr. Thim confided: “I have never been to any music school. In the past, I went to village festivals, listened and watched the elders play musical instruments and then learned from them. When I grew up, I learned to make monochords and bamboo flutes to satisfy my passion for traditional musical instruments. Anyone who comes to my temple is ready to serve and guide people to play or give them to those who love these musical instruments.”

With his silent contributions, for many years, Mr. Thim has been recognized, commended and rewarded by all levels and sectors such as Certificates of Merit from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly, Certificates of Merit from the Department of Culture and Sports , Certificates of Merit from Hoa Lu district, Ninh Hai commune (old)...

If the sound of the monochord of Mr. Thim resonates in the middle of Trang An valley like the whisper of the ancient capital, then in the coastal area of Hai Anh, there is an artist who has kept the traditional brass trumpet sound echoing for many years. That artist is Nguyen Van Cuong - the person that the people of Pham Phao village, Hai Anh commune still affectionately call "the rhythm keeper of the bronze trumpet of the parish".

*Brass musician Nguyen Van Cuong and his two sons perform on the brass instrument.*

Born and raised in the cradle of the famous brass trumpet making profession, artisan Nguyen Van Cuong has spent more than half a century attached to the resounding sound of Western trumpets crafted by his own parents. If in the past, the trumpet sound mainly resounded during parish ceremonies and in the community activities of parishioners, in recent years, thanks to the sound of the trumpet, his small house has become a special stop for tourists from near and far.

According to Mr. Cuong, more and more domestic and international tourists are coming to Pham Phao village. Some are curious about the century-old craft village, others come just to listen to the sound of the trumpet which they say “sounds like a prayer in the middle of the field”.

“The more tourists come to my house, the more I want to play well and clearly, so that they can understand the history and culture of my hometown. For me, each song I send to tourists is a way for me to convey my pride through the sincerity of the local people. Thanks to that, many international friends know about Pham Phao craft village not only through folk stories or handicrafts, but also through the unique sounds that have become the mark of Hai Anh land" - Mr. Cuong shared.

Filipino tourists enjoy taking photos with brass artist Nguyen Van Cuong.

Amidst the ever-changing pace of life, artisan Nguyen Van Cuong is still working hard with a simple wish: to keep the traditional trumpet sound never to stop and for every tourist to leave Pham Phao to take with them a part of the unique culture of his hometown Hai Anh. Mr. Cuong's trumpet sound is sometimes as lively as a procession, sometimes as deep as the confidences of coastal people, making many tourists unable to hide their emotions.

Mr. Hoang Binh Minh, Vice President of Ninh Binh Tourism Association said: In the modern tourism trend, tourists do not just “go to see”, but they want to experience and learn about local life and culture. Traditional craft villages and rustic artisans like Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong or Mr. Chu Van Thim are extremely valuable “living resources”, making tourism products soulful, with stories, helping tourists’ journeys become more profound.

The “country artists” do not stand on the big stage with bright lights, but it is their perseverance and love for their homeland that has contributed to the identity of Ninh Binh countryside. They are the silent but influential “cultural ambassadors”.

Article and photos: Minh Hai

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/nhung-nghe-si-dong-que-251124134109180.html