The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has announced plans to hold the “Red River Gathering” Community Arts Festival, aimed at celebrating the unique cultural heritage deeply rooted in the lives of the people – traditional Cheo fork art form.
The “Red River Gathering” Community Arts Festival will take place from November 14-17, 2024 at the Thai Binh Provincial Conference Centre. Participating in the Festival will be community arts troupes from the Cultural Centers, Cultural and Artistic Centers, and Culture-Film Centers from various provinces and cities in the extended Red River Delta region.
Each participating unit will prepare a Cheo performance piece with themes reflecting tradition, history, or contemporary life, ensuring high artistic quality, rich vocal style, and creative presentation. The Cheo performances will need to be well-composed and artistically refined, with a maximum duration of 50 minutes per piece.
Cheo is a distinctive form of folk theatre that holds a vital place in the cultural life of the Vietnamese people. Photo: VNA
The competition entries will highlight the 80-year legacy of the Vietnam People’s Army, celebrating the image and noble qualities of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers,” as well as the enduring spirit of resilience and patriotism in defending the nation. Themes will also praise achievements in the country’s modernization and transformation, honor the Communist Party and President Ho Chi Minh, and commend the people’s accomplishments in economic, cultural, and social fields during industrialization and modernization. Additionally, the pieces aim to instill revolutionary tradition, love of country, and exemplary role models in labor and rural development while critiquing negative societal behaviors.
The “Red River Gathering” Community Arts Festival will provide an opportunity to showcase the rich folk traditions integral to people’s lives, resonating with both the public and international visitors who seek to understand and appreciate the essence of traditional Cheo theatre. This festival will thus play a crucial role in preserving, promoting, and honoring the cultural value of Cheo in the ongoing renewal, integration, and development of the nation.
Furthermore, the event will offer a platform for managers, researchers, practitioners, and Cheo enthusiasts to meet, interact, and exchange ideas. This engagement is intended to enhance the skills, creativity, and performance quality of grassroots talent, meeting the public’s demand for traditional arts.
The Festival is a meaningful activity to celebrate Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day on November 23 and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944 – December 22, 2024).
H.A