The development of the community arts movement has consistently been a focal point for the authorities across districts in Hanoi. This initiative not only caters to the increasing cultural consumption and creativity of the citizens but also contributes significantly to elevating the grassroots cultural life of the capital’s residents.
According to the midterm report on the implementation results of Program No. 06-CTr/TU dated March 17, 2021, by the Municipal Party Committee on “Cultural Development, Improving the Quality of Human Resources, Cultivating Elegant and Civilized Hanoians in the 2021-2025 period,” to enhance the quality of grassroots community art performances, the city continues to sustain and innovate community cultural activities. These include organizing seven festivals, artistic competitions for community art teams, grassroots cultural clubs, and community engagement. Additionally, participation in three festivals, performances, and competitions nationwide; establishment of two new clubs; initiation of four training courses to preserve, promote, and transmit traditional folk cultural arts, enhancing the professional skills of cultural grassroots leaders. This aims to maintain the operations of the existing 16 on-site clubs and nearly 20 satellite clubs, directly disseminating cultural information to the community, guiding them to enhance their cultural and artistic appreciation, and meeting the creative and cultural enjoyment needs of the people.
Furthermore, the city actively guides districts, towns, and local literary and artistic clubs to participate in local creative campaigns initiated by the city. The annual plans for organizing cultural activities by various clubs, including music, literature, and professional cultural clubs, are being successfully executed. Several community cultural and artistic competitions have also been organized, adding vibrancy to the cultural landscape of Hanoi.
A performance at the conclusion ceremony of the Cheo singing class, Cohort 8, in Tan Hoi commune, Dan Phuong district, Hanoi
Take, for example, Tay Ho district, boasting 29 cultural and artistic clubs, with all 8/8 wards having clubs dedicated to poetry, arts, and traditional music. Many residential areas have formed their own artistic teams. Noteworthy among them are cultural and artistic clubs like the Tay Ho Poetry Club, Tay Ho Folk Music Club, and poetry and literature clubs for the elderly.
In Son Tay district, the activities of literary and artistic clubs are on a continuous upward trajectory. Currently, Son Tay town has four poetry clubs with over 300 members actively participating. Additionally, there are clubs for Fine Arts, Music, Photography, Stage Arts, Literature and Arts, and Dance.
In Dong Anh district, an impressive 1,172 cultural and sports clubs have been established, averaging 178 public cultural sessions annually organized in villages and neighborhoods, mainly through social funding. Cultural and artistic festivals and events are consistently organized with diverse and lively content, drawing widespread participation from all segments of the population.
Despite these achievements, community arts and cultural activities at the grassroots level also grapple with challenges. Reflecting on the local scenario, Nguyen Anh Tuan, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Tay Ho District Party Committee, pinpointed several issues. Limited funding poses a challenge, and in some areas, community artistic activities lack quality, failing to captivate public interest. There is a shortage of cultural and artistic nuclei, and cultural officers at the grassroots level are insufficient and lack specialization.
Expressing concern, Le Dai Thang, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Son Tay town, stated, “While the quantity of literary, artistic, and entertainment works is growing, the quality is not high; many works do not fulfill the political tasks of the locality. Some artistic clubs operate with low quality. The promotion, dissemination, and development of literature and arts to enhance the town’s image are still limited.”
In the recent review conference commemorating 15 years of implementing Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW by the Hanoi Municipal Party Committee, various proposals were put forth by representatives from districts to enhance the quality of the capital’s grassroots artistic movement. Notably, the discourse emphasized the need to strengthen the leadership role of party committees at all levels in cultural and artistic affairs in each locality. It was underscored that substantial financial investment should be allocated to cultural and artistic activities, adopting incentivizing mechanisms and fostering a genuine interest in the development of grassroots cultural and artistic endeavors. Encouraging and supporting cultural and artistic activities at the grassroots level, tapping into the creative potential of the population, and promoting community engagement were highlighted as pivotal strategies. Additionally, there was a specific call for mechanisms that incentivize traditional folk artists to participate in teaching and preserving cultural values.
If these measures are effectively implemented, there is a clear assurance that the cultural and artistic grassroots movement in the capital will experience continued momentum. This, in turn, will contribute significantly to the successful realization of the objectives set forth in the Hanoi City Party Committee’s Program 06-CTr/TU, focusing on the development of culture, the enhancement of human resource quality, and the cultivation of a refined and cultured Hanoian populace during the 2021-2025 phase.
Dang Thuy
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