A lively atmosphere prevailed as Dong Anh folk songs and dances were recreated at the village festival.
From simple folk tales reflecting agricultural life to performances staged on modern stages, Dong Anh folk songs and dances are a vivid testament to the enduring vitality of traditional culture.
From village games to national heritage
The Viên Khê area, Đông Khê commune, Đông Sơn district (now Đông Sơn ward, Thanh Hóa province) is considered the "cradle" of the Viên Khê Five Performances - the foundation of Đông Anh folk songs and dances. Legend says that the Viên Khê Five Performances originated during the Northern domination period, associated with the name of Cả Lãng Đại Vương, the son of the leader Lê Ngọc.
He often went down to the villages to teach the people singing and dancing, sowing the seeds of culture in the community. Some other opinions suggest that the tradition originated during the Later Le Dynasty, passed down by the Minister of Rites Nguyen Mong Tuan (originally from Vien Khe). Although there is no definitive answer, the common point is that this heritage has become deeply ingrained in the lives of the people, existing as an essential part of the village community.
The performances vividly reflect production activities, disaster prevention, prayers for bountiful harvests, and aspirations for happiness and fertility. Like many other forms of folk culture, Dong Anh folk songs and dances are passed down orally. From rehearsals in villages and through village festivals, each song and dance is refined and enriched, becoming a valuable shared heritage.
In the memories of older generations, the Nghè Sâm festival was once the largest center for celebrating folk performances. Every three years, in the years of the Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat, the festival expanded throughout the region. The performers were rigorously selected: they had to be boys and girls aged 12-16, unmarried, from families without recent deaths, and with sufficient "justification" to participate. This very selection process created the sacredness and allure of Đông Anh folk songs and dances in the spiritual life of the local people.
There was a time when this musical style gradually transcended the boundaries of the village, being performed in the royal court or at important national events. However, with the changing times and the decline of the Nghè Sâm festival, the folk songs and dances of Đông Anh were gradually forgotten, seemingly only remaining as memories.
Lantern Dance - a unique feature of the Five Traditional Performances of Vien Khe
The Firelighters and the Journey of Revival
The turning point came in 2002, when the Vietnam Institute of Music, together with the Thanh Hoa Department of Culture, the government, and the people of Dong Khe, embarked on restoring the Five Traditional Performances of Vien Khe. The work was extremely difficult: documentation was scarce, props and costumes were lacking, and those who knew the performances were becoming increasingly rare. But thanks to the dedication of elderly artisans who had devoted their lives to their homeland's melodies, each part of the performance was pieced together and revived.
An artisan who participated in the restoration recalled: "Back then, whenever we successfully restored a performance, we would invite elderly people to come and appraise it. Some were so moved that they shed tears, expressing their gratitude for being able to relive their youth."
Thanks to these tireless efforts, the system of 12 distinctive folk songs has been restored: Lantern Dance, Drum and Gong, Ngo, Siam, Tiger Catching, Tien Cuoi, Ha Lan, Thuy, Female Official, Tu Huan, Thiep, and Ai Lao. Among them, the Lantern Dance has become a prominent symbol, making a strong impression with the graceful movements of young women singing and dancing, their heads adorned with brightly lit lanterns, yet remaining fluid and elegant.
In 2017, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially recognized the Five Traditional Performances of Vien Khe as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. For the people of Dong Son, this is not only a source of pride but also an affirmation of the enduring value of their village culture. An elderly artisan shared: "From the age of 12-13, I was chosen to be a 'performing artist,' traveling with the troupe to perform everywhere, and then dedicating my whole life to the songs and dances. Now, many families have three or four generations continuing the tradition, sons playing drums, daughters-in-law performing lantern dances, and grandchildren playing musical instruments. This passing on of the flame helps revive the heritage. Not only within families, but many teaching classes have also formed in the village and in schools. Today, young children in Dong Khe can perform lantern dances, play the role of Tien Cuoi, or take on the roles of young 'performing artists' in festivals. Their innocent footsteps and songs are proof of the enduring vitality of this heritage."
For those who have seen the Lantern Dance, the most unforgettable impression is when 12 young women in white trousers, red blouses, and green sashes, with brightly lit lamp-shaped discs on their heads, sing and spin, rolling around without the lamps falling. It's a combination of technique, skill, and the charm of the Thanh Hoa women, leaving a deep emotional impact on the audience. Not only the Lantern Dance, but many folk melodies from Dong Anh have also become deeply ingrained in daily life. Familiar lyrics like: " Going to the temple to pick a lotus branch," "Eating rice by lamplight, planting rice by moonlight,"... have become shared memories for many generations.
In Vien Khe today, during every Lunar New Year celebration, the atmosphere of singing and dancing practice remains vibrant. The people consider it an essential part of life, like the very breath that connects them to their homeland. During village festivals and the National Unity Day celebrations, the entire community can become "participants," singing together ancient melodies. It is this strong bond that makes Dong Anh folk songs and dances the soul of the village, a thread connecting the past, present, and future.
From a form of folk performance that was once in danger of being forgotten, Dong Anh folk songs and dances have been strongly revived, becoming a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This achievement is thanks to the dedication of generations of artisans, the unity of the people, and the attention of the government.
Today, as the folk songs and dances of Dong Anh continue to resonate in village festivals, on stages, and in cultural tourism tours, it is not only the presence of an art form but also a testament to the Thanh Hoa people's determination to preserve their homeland's identity. As one artisan shared: "We only hope to pass on that love to our children and grandchildren, so that they understand and cherish the heritage of their ancestors. Only when it becomes a shared asset of the community will the folk songs and dances of Dong Anh have lasting vitality."
And indeed, from Vien Khe village today, that flame still burns brightly - the flame of memory, of passion, and of a cultural heritage that will forever accompany the nation.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/tu-tro-lang-den-di-san-quoc-gia-170426.html
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