 |
| The women's drum team of Giao Hai commune (Giao Thuy district) performs at the Kien Hanh historical and cultural relic site of communal house, temple, and pagoda. |
In traditional festivals in Nam Dinh , the "festival" part is always vibrant with familiar folk melodies. At the Tran Temple Seal Opening Festival in Loc Vuong ward (Nam Dinh city), besides the incense offering ceremony and the procession of the sacred seal palanquin, many cultural and artistic programs take place. Every year, the performing arts groups of the residential areas in Loc Vuong ward participate in performing many unique folk performances such as: folk singing, traditional opera, etc., contributing to the lively atmosphere of the festival. Ms. Tran Thi Bich Hong, a member of the Loc Vuong ward performing arts group and a familiar face who has performed at the festival for many years, shared: "Every time I participate in the Tran Temple Festival, I always feel moved and proud. Being involved in this important cultural event is a way for local people to preserve and continue traditional artistic values right in our homeland."
In Vu Ban district, the Chau Van singing festival is a highlight in the annual Phu Day festival. Typical Chau Van performances such as Chau De Nhi, Chau Luc, Chau Be, Chau Be Thuong, Quan Lon Tam Phu, Quan Lon De Tam, Chua Dong Cuong, Quan De Tam, Chua Thac Bo… are performed by young singers with a simple yet skillful style, offering visitors a sacred and profound artistic experience. Through each festival season, Chau Van is preserved and continues to spread strongly, fostering community cohesion and inspiring the aspiration for sustainable development of the homeland and the country. At festivals in the rural areas of Xuan Truong, Nam Truc, Hai Hau… Cheo (traditional Vietnamese opera) is an indispensable part of the cultural offerings. Classic excerpts such as “Thi Mau Goes to the Pagoda,” “Xuy Van Pretends to Be Mad,” and “Quan Am Thi Kinh” are vividly recreated by local performing arts groups and professional artists, evoking the pure Vietnamese rural cultural atmosphere. In Xuan Truong, the Kien Lao Folk Song Club in Xuan Phuc commune was established to enrich activities at the Kien Lao Temple and Pagoda festival. Besides performing at village festivals, the group is also invited to participate in many other cultural programs, presenting creative, self-composed excerpts of traditional Vietnamese opera (cheo) that are close to everyday life. In Hai Hau, people consider cheo an indispensable part of their cultural and spiritual life. At the annual Luong Pagoda festival in Hai Anh commune, a cheo and folk singing competition is held, attracting a large audience. In Hai Chau commune, the Phu Van Nam cheo troupe, with a history dating back to 1958, continues to perform regularly during festivals, holidays, and village gatherings, offering the public heartwarming cheo melodies.
Besides traditional folk songs, many localities in Giao Thuy, Nghia Hung, and Yen Yen districts have established women's drum ensembles. The drum pieces are structured around specific themes such as land reclamation, water conservation, and village building. Against the backdrop of the drums are the rhythmic and graceful dances of the members in traditional costumes, creating a vibrant performance that combines sound and visuals. A prime example is the women's drum ensemble of Giao Hai commune (Giao Thuy district), formed by middle-aged women who share a passion for traditional music . Their drum pieces such as "Water Procession," "Land Reclamation," "Attack," and "Village Building" are performed with a spirited and powerful yet graceful and elegant manner. Their reputation has spread far and wide, and they have been invited to participate in major festivals and events both within and outside the district, leaving a lasting impression on audiences. The performances of the Giao Hai women's drum troupe in traditional festivals are a vivid testament to the spirit of preserving heritage in the modern era.
A positive sign in many localities throughout the province is the annual organization of folk art competitions and festivals. These events not only provide a platform for amateur artists and performers to showcase their talents, but also serve as an ideal environment for the transmission and continuation of traditional melodies across generations. From excerpts of traditional opera imbued with the spirit of the countryside, to sacred folk songs and the vibrant sounds of festival drums, all are recreated by amateur performing arts groups with serious investment. In particular, the participation of a large number of young people as actors, musicians, and support staff affirms the vibrant spread of folk art and demonstrates the proactive spirit of today's youth in continuing this heritage.
A crucial factor contributing to the success of mass cultural and artistic movements is the accompanying and professional support from professional art units, most notably the Nam Dinh Provincial Traditional Arts Theatre. Over the years, in addition to performing forms such as Cheo singing, Van singing, and drum performances at major festivals like the Tran Temple Opening Ceremony and Phu Day Festival, the theatre has also directly participated in teaching folk performance skills to local clubs. From 2015 to the present, many short-term training courses have been organized in districts and communes, providing systematic instruction on drumming techniques, basic Cheo singing styles, and how to coordinate musical instruments in Van singing... helping local art troupes improve their skills and gain more confidence when performing at festivals and competitions. Meritorious Artist Dieu Hang, Director of the Provincial Traditional Arts Theater, shared: “We always believe that in addition to performing for the people, artists also have the responsibility to spread the passion for their craft. Each training session, each visit to the grassroots level is an opportunity for folk art to become closer to the people, to live in life, not just on the stage.”
From practical experience, it is clear that folk art is the soul that creates the distinctive atmosphere of each festival season. Without the drums of the procession, the melodies of folk songs in the spirit medium rituals, or the poignant performances of traditional opera in the village square, the festival would be incomplete. Folk art contributes to beautifying the festival space, helping each person return to their roots and deeply feel the cultural heritage of the nation. To keep the flame of folk art alive today, the consensus and joint efforts of the entire society are needed. In particular, close attention from the government and the continuation by the younger generation are key factors in preserving and promoting cultural identity in the modern context.
With its distinctive cultural traditions and rich festival system, Nam Dinh is a shining example of preserving and promoting folk arts in a modern context. Each drumbeat, each folk song, each traditional opera performance in the village square… is a flame. And when these flames are ignited from the hearts of the people – those who love their homeland and their cultural identity – then folk arts will surely continue to shine brightly in the flow of festivals, in the consciousness of present and future generations.
Text and photos: Viet Du
Source: https://baonamdinh.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202505/van-nghe-dan-gian-trong-le-hoi-ban-sac-can-duoc-tiep-lua-e685be1/
Comment (0)