With the dedicated guidance of Meritorious Artist Vu Lan, Vice Chairman of the Arts Council, Head of the Vietnam Folk Arts Association in Dak Lak , an experienced artist with deep understanding of Central Highlands culture, nearly 30 students not only learned about basic movements and dances such as xoang dance, gong dance, ritual dances, and daily dances of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands such as Ede, Gia Rai, Ba Na, M'Nong, Xo Dang... but also deeply understood the cultural context, beliefs, and philosophical meaning of each dance.

Students perform the Ede people's wine offering ritual.

“The Central Highlands folk dance is not just about body movements, but also the language of the soul, the way the Central Highlands people communicate with the gods and the mountains and forests. Each rhythm, each xoang circle contains a story about life, about crops, about festivals,” Meritorious Artist Vu Lan shared.

Students are given detailed and meticulous practice from breathing, walking, expressing emotions to using traditional props such as scarves, baskets, gongs... The combination of theory and practice, between the teaching of artisans and the analysis of professional choreographers has created a lively and effective learning environment.

A special highlight of this training course is the topic on creative methods and choreography based on folk materials. The lecturer guided the students on how to exploit the treasure trove of traditional dances in a selective and delicate way, to create new works while still preserving the "soul" of the Central Highlands. This is a big challenge, requiring the artist to have a deep understanding and absolute respect for national culture.

Meritorious Artist Vu Lan (middle) and students perform a traditional dance of the Ede people.

Many students expressed their excitement at being exposed to modern choreography methods on a traditional basis. H'Huyền Byă, a student of the class, confided: “In the past, I often wondered how to bring folk dance to the stage without it becoming outdated. The training class helped me find the answer, which is to have a deep understanding of culture, from which I can be creative in a responsible and sublime way.”

In addition, the training course is also an opportunity for local artists to exchange experiences, create a close-knit community, and join hands to preserve and develop the art of Central Highlands folk dance. Ms. H'Yam Buon Krong, Head of Tong Bong Brocade Weaving Cooperative, said: In the hustle and bustle of modern life, preserving and promoting traditional cultural values ​​is always an urgent task. The training course is truly a very practical and effective activity to preserve and develop culture.

Writer Nie Thanh Mai, Chairman of the Dak Lak Province Literature and Arts Association, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Central Highlands Folk Dance Training Course, said: In the context that many cultural values ​​are at risk of being lost or arbitrarily adapted, equipping cultural workers with solid foundational knowledge and proper artistic orientation is extremely necessary.

Organizers and students of the 2025 Central Highlands folk dance training class.

At the end of the training course, each trainee not only brings with them valuable knowledge and skills, but also a passion and dedication. They are the important cultural cores who will continue to teach and spread the beauty of Central Highlands folk dance to the younger generation and the public.

News and photos: THUY AN

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc-nghe-thuat/nuoi-duong-dam-me-tu-lop-tap-huan-mua-dan-gian-tay-nguyen-913164