Hong Phong water puppetry is concerned about the aging of its artisans.

The Hồng Phong water puppetry craft in Bồ Dương village, Khúc Thừa Dụ commune, is facing a decline in the number of artisans due to difficulties in passing on the craft.

A water puppet performance by the Hong Phong water puppet troupe.

It's difficult to recruit young people.

Welcoming and serving a delegation from France last weekend, the elderly puppeteers of Hong Phong water puppetry in Bo Duong village, Khuc Thua Du commune, Hai Phong city, still gave their all. Despite the vast differences in language and culture, their performances, vividly reflecting the life and customs of the people in the Northern Delta region, were enthusiastically received by the French audience.

According to Mr. Pham Van Tong, head of the Hong Phong water puppet troupe, the troupe currently has 16 members, the oldest being 85 and the youngest over 50 years old.

For a long time, the Hong Phong water puppet troupe has struggled to recruit young actors. The reason is the hard work and the meager income from the profession. "In modern society, there are many choices, and young people are looking for high-paying, stable jobs rather than following in their ancestors' footsteps," Mr. Tong said.

Whether immersed in the freezing cold of winter or exposed to the sweltering heat of summer, the members of the Hong Phong water puppet troupe receive inadequate compensation. From January to April each year is the peak season, with the troupe performing 25-30 shows, sometimes up to 34 in a single month. During the summer, the troupe continues to perform for domestic groups, from government agencies to schools. Despite their immense efforts, the saying goes, "If you work, you eat; if you don't, you starve."

At 67 years old, Mr. Pham Van Tong and several other members of the Hong Phong water puppet troupe still have to proactively seek performance contracts. Holding a letter introducing the Hong Phong water puppet troupe, Mr. Tong shared about how the members contact travel companies in Hanoi to find clients: “We have to be self-sufficient financially. Travel companies set prices and conduct surveys and select performances very strictly. The price list is clearly displayed: 1.2 million VND per performance for 1-5 guests, 1.3 million VND for 6-10 guests, and 1.4 million VND for 11-15 guests.”

For each performance, the average performer receives 70,000 VND. In addition to the fee, the ward authorities agree to transfer all the tips from the audience into a fund to reinvest in puppets, purchase equipment, and other supplies for performances.

The fear of losing the tradition.

Currently, the Hong Phong water puppet troupe is having difficulty recruiting young people.

According to elderly people and artisans of the Hong Phong water puppetry troupe, the water puppetry of Bo Duong village (now Hong Phong) dates back to the 17th century or earlier. Evidence of this is the Dong communal house, a national historical and cultural relic located within the grounds of the Hong Phong water puppetry troupe (built in the 17th century), which still features carvings depicting water puppetry art. This proves that Hong Phong water puppetry existed very early, before the communal house was built.

Furthermore, the unique aspect of water puppetry here stems from agriculture , closely associated with farmers. Water puppetry reflects daily life, from production and festivals to customs, and is created and performed directly by farmers. Farmers, with their hands and feet covered in mud, transform into true artists after their labor. These are the key elements and the essence that build the captivating story, attracting tourists, especially foreigners, to the origin and development of Hong Phong water puppetry. Puppet shows such as kite flying, firecrackers, dragon dance, snake dance, wrestling, and buffalo fighting—which were previously only performed during village festivals—have now developed into tourism products, loved by both domestic and international visitors.

According to Mr. Pham Van Tong, tourists, especially foreigners, prefer watching traditional folk water puppetry performances over contemporary ones. Through these puppet shows, viewers learn about the customs, traditions, rhythm of life, folk knowledge, skills, lifestyle, culture, and festivals of the people in the Northern region. The performers use bamboo, reeds, leaves, and everyday objects to recreate handicrafts and activities such as animal husbandry, planting, and harvesting. Understanding the "taste" of foreign tourists who prefer traditional performances characteristic of Vietnamese culture, the artisans stage traditional plays such as dragon dance, snake dance, Teu herding ducks, and plowing. To suit the needs of foreign visitors, the troupe adjusts the performances to be more lively and with less dialogue.

In 2012, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognized Hai Duong province's water puppetry as a national intangible cultural heritage. The revival of water puppetry, especially since the re-establishment of the Hong Phong water puppetry troupe in 1989 and the construction of the water pavilion in 2003, partly reflects the local government's interest. In the "High-Quality Tourism Development Plan for Hai Duong Province giai đoạn 2021-2030, vision 2050," Bo Duong village water puppetry is identified as one of eight distinctive tourism products for development orientation.

Despite possessing unique cultural, historical, and artistic values, the ward currently faces concerns about the aging of its artisans and the financial burden of maintaining its activities. Young people are preoccupied with pursuing economic opportunities, while the elderly worry about the craft disappearing. Given the current situation, the local authorities need specific solutions and guidance to ensure the smooth operation of the Hong Phong puppet ward, allowing artisans to confidently preserve their craft and keep its passion alive.

THU HUONG

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/roi-nuoc-hong-phong-lo-gia-hoa-nghe-nhan-529236.html