Igniting the 'flame' of traditional theater in the hearts of young people.

How can Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) remain sustainable among young people?

Traditional Vietnamese opera (Tuồng) is beautiful, engaging, interesting, and colorful, but why are there so few stages dedicated to this art form, and why are many young people unaware of its value? I've searched for the answer and come to a common conclusion: It's not indifference, but rather a lack of strong media coverage. We haven't done enough to promote Tuồng, and performances remain subsidized, following old-fashioned methods and adhering strictly to established procedures. This prevents this unique art form from connecting with young people.

Actor Tran Tuan Hiep of the Vietnam Traditional Opera Theatre shared: “Young people haven't been exposed to traditional opera, haven't delved deeply into it, and only learned about it through stories from previous generations. They think traditional opera is difficult to watch and understand, but that's the common understanding. When young people come to see traditional opera and watch the artists perform, they exclaim: 'Traditional opera is so beautiful, so wonderful! And yet, young people haven't paid attention to it for so long!' This art form isn't difficult to watch; it's the indifferent approach from both sides. Furthermore, young people now have too many forms of entertainment to choose from. I hope that young people will learn about Vietnam's traditional art because I know they are very patriotic and love the cultural values of their ancestors. Young people are the ambassadors for spreading national culture.”

Artist Danh Thai admitted: "Traditional Vietnamese opera (Tuong) hasn't been widely accessible to audiences. It's a less frequently performed art form. If you study it carefully and watch Tuong, you'll see its beauty and fall in love with it."

Meritorious Artist Tong Xuan Tung believes that there are no barriers, but rather that young people haven't had many opportunities to access and pay attention to these art forms. If young people are interested, they will come to love these traditional art forms that have gradually regained attention in recent years.

There are groups of young people actively working to spread Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) to Generation Z, such as the Tuong Sac group of high school students or the Tuong Di group of Dai Nam University students. These groups all hope their projects will develop sustainably, long-term, and on a non-profit basis to bring more opportunities for Tuong to young people.

Opinions from these groups suggest that, for Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) to remain sustainable among young people, the approach needs to be changed to be more accessible and relevant to modern lifestyles. Integrating Tuong art into the educational environment, combining it with digital technology, creating creative platforms, and encouraging young people to participate in performances and research will help increase engagement.

At the same time, raising awareness of traditional cultural values and fostering national pride are key factors in preventing the decline of Tuong art over time. Practical activities such as mask-painting workshops, exhibitions, conversations between artists and Generation Z, and performances of excerpts will help young people, especially children, experience and deeply appreciate the value of traditional art.

Ha Chi Manh, a high school student participating in the Tuong Sac project, expressed his concern about the lack of connection between traditional art and young people: “If young people don’t care, Tuong will easily become a forgotten heritage, no longer passed on or developed. The art of Tuong will gradually lose its vitality, the stage will shrink, the number of practitioners will decrease, leading to the risk of complete extinction. This not only deprives future generations of an important part of their national culture but also leaves them without a connection to their traditional art roots.”

Manh also stated that the Tuong Sac group attracts young people by revitalizing traditional Tuong art through interactive activities such as mask-painting workshops and exhibitions showcasing costumes, masks, and unique cultural values. The project not only helps young people directly access the art but also sparks curiosity and pride in national heritage. Through this, Tuong becomes a vibrant and meaningful part of modern life for young people.

Efforts to bring Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) to the public.

Amidst the explosion of modern forms of entertainment, Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) is gradually being withdrawn from daily life and becoming unfamiliar to young audiences. Faced with this reality, many artists, theaters, and content creation groups have continuously strived to preserve the art of Tuong.

Many young artists choose to dedicate themselves to Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) for the long term, despite limited professional opportunities. For example, actress Thanh Phuong from the Vietnam Tuong Theatre has taken on additional work as a DJ to "keep the flame alive" for Tuong art, demonstrating the perseverance and adaptability of the younger generation of actors.

In addition, there are school theater education programs implemented through exchanges between the Vietnam Traditional Opera Theatre and students. And notably, the art of traditional opera has been digitized through the "Theatre Epic" project, as well as experiments combining traditional opera with electronic music and contemporary dance such as "Facing the Infinite".

Thu Uyên, the leader of the Tuồng Đi group, believes that when properly understood and modernized, Tuồng will never become outdated. “Tradition and media must rely on each other; one has classical elements, the other has modern elements. However, if we look deeper, both originate from the same thread: the desire to spread meaningful things. Especially with Tuồng, a traditional form of musical theater, its encounter with media has opened up new possibilities, helping Tuồng to connect with the modern era,” Thu Uyên shared.

Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) is deeply rooted in Eastern narrative and aesthetic sensibilities, using conventions and stylization as its fundamental performance criteria. Tuong works often focus on themes of loyalty to the king and patriotism, heroic righteousness, and family affection. However, due to its characteristic of telling grand stories, especially those about history which can be quite dry, Tuong struggles to compete with other forms of entertainment.

Therefore, thanks to media coverage promoting the value of Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, it has been given new life. Young people's creations, such as the plays "Son Hau - Beyond the Mountain," "The Realm of Emptiness," and "Facing Infinity," as well as film projects and art exhibitions inspired by Tuong, have all brought traditional Tuong closer to modern life.

"Media doesn't diminish traditional aspects; instead, it acts as a companion, opening doors for Tuong art to continue living within the cultural flow of the times and, above all, reaching a wider audience in the digital age," affirmed Yen Linh, head of media relations at the Vietnam Tuong Theatre.

After watching Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera), Thanh Tam shared: “As a student majoring in Literature Education, I have studied Tuong and learned that in the past, this art form was only for the aristocracy. Many people think that makes Tuong difficult to access, but for me, this is not a barrier. When I came to watch it live, I not only enjoyed the beauty of our national cultural identity but also clearly felt the talent, passion, and dedication of the artists. I hope that Tuong will become more widely known, especially among young people.”

Currently, besides attending theaters, young people can also learn about Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) through YouTube, or even through textbooks, as some Tuong plays have been included in the current literature curriculum. Furthermore, as a future teacher, I hope to have the opportunity to bring Tuong closer to students by allowing them to embody the characters, thereby understanding and fully appreciating the spirit of this traditional art form.”

Ngoc Thuy shared: “I invited a group of friends to watch it. Initially, they asked, ‘Why are you watching Tuong at this age? Only our grandparents watch this.’ But after watching it, everyone was surprised and delighted. Perhaps the initial prejudice makes many young people think Tuong is something far beyond their reach. But with the right approach and more effective communication, I believe Tuong can absolutely reach many young audiences. And I am ready to become someone who spreads the love of Tuong to everyone. I hope that more young people will become interested so that these art forms can have the place they deserve in modern cultural life.”

Student Han Thi Loi, Faculty of Education , Hanoi Metropolitan University: “Previously, I never thought that Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) was an art form suitable for me. I always assumed that Tuong was for older generations. But today, after watching a performance for the first time, I feel that my imagination is far different from reality. Everything was very impressive, from the acting to the costumes of the performers.”

Tuan Ngoc

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/thap-ngon-lua-tuong-trong-long-gioi-tre-post553301.html