Vibrant circus performances and traditional music by Hoan Kiem Lake.

On the evening of May 24th, at the Octagonal House, the "Community Music" program created a vibrant and youthful artistic atmosphere with performances by young artists and actors from the Hanoi Circus and Variety Arts Theatre, along with students from Nguyen Dinh Chieu Primary and Secondary School.

The lively circus and magic show brought laughter to the children. Photo: VH

Amidst the crowds strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, the clear, melodious flute music of Tran Tuan Hung's performance of "Homeland Dawn" captivated many onlookers. Without elaborate stage effects or loud music, the simple melody created a moment of tranquility in the bustling city center, where art naturally blended with community life.

While previous weeks featured emotionally rich Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) performances or narrative-driven musical nights, this week's program offered a cheerful and interactive atmosphere with a combination of circus acts, variety shows, and a traditional Vietnamese orchestra.

Exciting circus performances were staged at the Octagonal House. Photo: VH

Besides vibrant circus acts like "Imperial Reign," "Skillful Footwork," "Hula Hooping," and the "Humorous Juggling" segment by artist To Nhat Huy, the program also dedicated time to sounds steeped in tradition. From the medley "Ly Cay Da, Trong Com" to the violin in "Continuing the Story of Peace," the performance was like a multifaceted slice of contemporary cultural life: both traditional and youthful, entertaining yet retaining emotional depth.

The performance "Skillful tricks on the feet". Photo: VH

Perhaps that's what helped the show attract so many different audience groups. Young children enjoyed the "Puppies' Classroom" performance or the balloon art, while many older people attentively watched the flute music and familiar folk melodies. In the area below the stage, young people used their phones to record the outstanding performances and gave rounds of applause to the artists.

Animal circus acts always bring excitement to the audience. Photo: VH

This intimacy and naturalness are creating the unique character of "Community Music." The program doesn't aim for a large-scale stage, but rather gradually fosters a habit of engaging with culture in daily life. The way performances are organized at the Octagonal House clearly shows the direction Hanoi is pursuing in cultural development: expanding creative spaces, bringing art closer to the public, and creating conditions for people to truly participate in and enjoy culture.

In addition, clown and magic acts always create a cheerful and engaging atmosphere. Photo: VH

Notably, the consistent program, featuring a variety of performances ranging from traditional arts like cải lương (Vietnamese opera) to circus acts, pop music, and variety shows, is helping to broaden its reach to the public. Each week, people have the opportunity to enjoy a new artistic expression, thereby fostering a more diverse and open cultural life.

Besides circus performances, the folk art program brings a unique flavor to the "Community Music" stage. Photo: VH

From open-air stages by Hoan Kiem Lake, art is gradually becoming more accessible to urban life. With no distance between performers and audience, and no confinement to theater spaces, programs like "Community Music" are progressively making art appreciation a familiar part of weekend activities.

The program attracted many children. Photo: VH

International tourists enthusiastically watch the show. Photo: VH

It is through these simple yet emotionally rich performances that culture is nurtured and sustained within the community, contributing to the image of a modern, creative Hanoi that still retains its distinctive cultural characteristics.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/soi-dong-bieu-dien-xiec-nhac-dan-toc-ben-ho-hoan-kiem-927954.html