Where the performing arts talents of ethnic minorities shine

Through the journey of striving, building and developing, the Provincial Art Troupe has always closely followed the local political tasks, excellently completed the assigned tasks, actively contributed to the development of literature and art of ethnic minorities in the province, worthy of the pioneering role of a soldier on the cultural front, awarded many noble titles by the Party and State, creating trust and a position in the hearts of art lovers.

On January 23, 1961, the Provincial Administrative Committee decided to establish the Provincial Art Troupe (now the Provincial Art Troupe). Immediately after its establishment, although the physical facilities and equipment for performances were still rudimentary and lacking, the means of transportation were only the actors' shoulders, and the stage lighting was provided by kerosene lamps. However, overcoming those difficulties and shortages was the enthusiasm and passion for art of the collective of artisans and actors in the troupe. During those years, the troupe performed many times, mainly serving remote highland areas with performances imbued with local ethnic identity, which were widely loved by the people.

Meritorious Artist Quynh Nha - one of the first generation of actors of the Cao Bang Art Troupe recalls: In 1970, the troupe participated in the Northern Professional Art Festival for the first time. The troupe members were very proud, mixed with nervousness and anxiety because this was a festival for professional art troupes in the entire North. With the determination and encouragement of the leaders of the Department of Culture, the artists and actors in the troupe practiced day and night and determined that this was an opportunity to learn, not hoping for an award. However, the efforts of the actors of the Cao Bang Art Troupe were rewarded. At the end of the festival, the troupe won 1 first prize for the play "Ve Ban Moi", 4 second prizes for the play "Cay B'Reng Truong Son" and 3 excellent actors Hoang Quynh Nha, Nong Ngoc But, Nong Thi So. It is a worthy reward for the results of hard work, enthusiasm, and creativity of the collective and outstanding individuals who have surpassed themselves to bring the best results to the province.

In December 1970, the Ministry of Culture and Information and the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army selected a number of typical art troupes in the Viet Bac region, including the Cao Bang Assault Art Troupe, to perform for the Southern battlefield. The Provincial Department of Culture selected 16 comrades from the Art Troupe led by Nong Ha Thin as captain, artist Be Xuan Tien as deputy captain, and other members. From 1970 to 1971, the Cao Bang Assault Art Troupe served the 559th Regiment, the 14th Military Station bordering Laos, one of the key areas of extremely fierce American bombing, because this place was the lifeline of the Ho Chi Minh trail. Meritorious Artist Hoang Kim Tue, former Head of the Provincial Art Troupe, was only 16 years old at the time and volunteered to serve the battlefield, recalling with emotion: The actors always determined that when they entered the battlefield, they would become soldiers, ready to accept hardships and sacrifices. They climbed mountains, waded streams, carried and marched on foot, performing during the day and resting at night became a way of life, a strict discipline on the battlefield with the spirit of "all for the beloved South", "Singing overpowers the sound of bombs". In addition to performing tasks, the actors shared and encouraged the soldiers to fight with peace of mind, they helped the soldiers sew clothes, take care of wounded and sick soldiers, expressing the deep affection of those who shared the same trenches...

After the peaceful reunification of the country in 1976, Cao Bang and Lang Son provinces were merged into Cao Lang province. However, the Cultural Troupe of the two provinces still operated independently as before, only when serving important events did the two troupes mobilize their forces to participate in coordination. This was one of the basic advantages for the two troupes to continue to maintain their professional activities that had become routine and continue to promote creativity in the following period. After a period of operation, realizing that the actors in the troupe all came from mass art actors, had never been trained in formal schools, the leaders of the cultural sector and the troupe encouraged and created favorable conditions for young actors to study at the Viet Bac and Central Art Schools. The provincial Cultural Troupe gradually stabilized, meeting the conditions to effectively serve the political tasks of the Party and the need to enjoy spiritual culture of the people of all ethnic groups in the province.

During the border war (1979), the Provincial Art Troupe organized shock art teams, overcame difficulties to practice performances to promptly serve and encourage soldiers and people of all ethnic groups, contributing to the cultural, information and propaganda activities of the industry, creating a solid cultural defense line. Immediately after the war, implementing the directive of the Ministry of Culture and Information, directors, choreographers and musicians helped the troupe build art programs. In just 5 years (1980 - 1985), the troupe built many high-quality art programs to perform and participate in 2 national festivals (1982 festival in Hanoi, 1985 festival in Hai Phong) with the performance "Kim Dong Dance Drama" choreographed by Colonel, People's Artist Do Minh Tien; Song and dance medley “Border Night” composed by Nguyen Nhung - Chuong Chau My and the zither performance “Diem ful”, poem by Nguyen Huu Tho, performed by Ma Si Hoan; “Tieng goi cua em”, choreographed by Dinh Quy, music by Dao Viet Hung; song “Em da nghe” by musician Dam Thanh performed by singer Xuan Ai and female group. Female soloist Kim Tue sang “Ban Mong don dung si”; female soloist “Loi hat lua cua nguoi troi rung”; female group Acabela without accompaniment “Loi hat lua cua co gai tre”, composed by musician Dam Thanh, performed by artist Duong Lieu and female group. As a result, both festivals won many awards, gold medals, silver medals and were highly appreciated by the organizing committee.

Special performance by the Provincial Art Troupe.

In the cause of national renewal, the Provincial Art Troupe continues to inherit and promote the achievements, strive, innovate, and constantly build unique and modern art programs with the motto of absorbing and preserving valuable cultural quintessence, respecting the rich and precious art traditions of ethnic groups, contributing to the construction of an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity such as: Resolution of the 5th Central Committee (VIII term) of the Party; Resolution No. 33-NQ/TW dated June 9, 2014 of the Politburo (XI term) on "building and developing Vietnamese culture and people to meet the requirements of sustainable national development"; Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2008 on "Developing literature and art in the new period" associated with the implementation of Conclusion No. 01-KL/TW dated May 18, 2021 on continuing to implement Directive No. 05-CT/TW dated May 15, 2016 of the Politburo on "Promoting the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle". The Provincial Art Troupe has many innovations in organizing creative and performing art activities, actively contributing to building the spiritual and cultural life of the people, fighting against negative manifestations, encouraging advanced models in society to guide the public towards truth - goodness - beauty, preserving and promoting traditional cultural values ​​of the nation. The Provincial Art Troupe considers this one of the important political tasks, contributing to the implementation of socio-economic development goals and maintaining national defense and security of the locality.

In particular, during the years of the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, artists and actors have overcome difficulties, flexibly organized many performance models, coordinated with Cao Bang Radio and Television Station to film and record dozens of art programs broadcast to serve the people. The troupe's art performances promptly encouraged the spirit of health workers and people determined to defeat the epidemic. In recent years, the troupe has actively participated in major art events of the province such as: Ban Gioc Waterfall Festival, the event to celebrate the 520th anniversary of the province's founding and receive the Certificate of recognition of the UNESCO Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark for the second time in 2024, the Countdown music festival to welcome Spring 2025... with spectacular performances that left a special impression on the audience.

Meritorious Artist Ma Thi Huong Lan said: Through a long journey of persistent artistic work, modest learning, and passionate love for the profession, generations of actors have achieved many successes in performing for the people of all ethnic groups in the province, in the country, and in international exchanges. During its operation, implementing the direction of the Ministry of Culture, the Department of Performing Arts, the troupe participated in 15 festivals, performances, professional music and dance competitions nationwide and in the region, international art festivals, and was awarded more than 90 medals of various types by the organizing committee and many prizes for groups and individuals. The troupe was honored to receive noble awards from the State such as: 1 First-class Medal of Resistance against America for National Salvation, 1 Third-class Labor Medal; Excellent Emulation Flag of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Excellent Emulation Flag of the Provincial People's Committee; many Certificates of Merit from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Provincial People's Committee.

Honored and proud, many actors and artists were honored to receive noble titles from the President: former Deputy Head of the Delegation Hoang Quynh Nha was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist by the State in 1993; artist Duong Lieu was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 1997, and in 2012 was awarded the title of People's Artist; Head of the Provincial Art Troupe Hoang Kim Tue was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 2002; Head of the Delegation and Artistic Director Ma Thi Huong Lan was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 2019; artist Tran Duc Canh was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 2019; artist Lam Thi Minh Hue was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 2023, these are noble awards recognized by the State in the process of dedicated work and tireless efforts of artists contributing to the country's culture and arts.

Having gone through countless difficulties and challenges since its early days of establishment, the Provincial Art Troupe has always promoted its tradition and risen to become a fulcrum for the artistic talents of Cao Bang ethnic minorities to continue to fly high and far.

Viet Hung

Source: https://baocaobang.vn/noi-toa-sang-tai-nang-nghe-thuat-bieu-dien-cac-dan-toc-thieu-so-3176910.html