PAYING HOMAGE: Veteran and young artists often visit Artists Pagoda in HCM City on national holidays and traditional festivals to perform and raise funds for the pagoda. Photo courtesy of HCM City Theatres Association

HCM CITY The renovation of Artists Pagoda in HCM City’s Gò Vấp District is scheduled to be completed in October.

The work began in June with funds from individuals and organisations, including members of the HCM City Theatres Association.

Artists Pagoda is located on 6,000 square metres of land and serves as home for the aged for 1,000 cải lương (reformed opera) and tuồng (classical drama) performers who were once stars on the stage.

“We have worked to donate funds for Artists Pagoda, the only one of its kind in the city, that also includes a cemetery devoted to former cải lương and tuồng performers,” said theatre actress and producer Trịnh Kim Chi, head of the pagoda’s managing board.

RESTING PLACE: Artists Pagoda renovation began in June with funds from a number of individuals and organisations. Photo courtesy of HCM City Theatres Association

During the Buddist Vu Lan Festival last week, dozens of artists in the city and neighbouring provinces visited and performed to raise funds for the pagoda.

The festival is meant for Vietnamese people to express their gratitude and appreciation to their ancestors and parents.

Following the tradition, they showed their deep respect for late actress Phùng Há, a great symbol of cải lương and also founder of the pagoda.

Há spent her savings to build the pagoda in 1958.

Há began her career in 1923 in Mỹ Tho Province (now Tiền Giang Province), the cradle of cải lương art. By the 1950s, she was at the peak of her artistry and fame.

She performed in many plays featuring the tragedy of Vietnamese women under feudalism, focusing on beautiful and virtuous girls whose sufferings were caused by village tyrants and cruel landlords.

She also worked hard to train younger colleagues. Many of her students, including the late actress Thanh Nga and celebrated artists Bạch Tuyết and Kim Cương, won top prizes at national competitions and festivals.

Há was also a founder of the HCM City Rest Home for Artists in District 8.

The home, opened in 1998, serves more than 20 traditional artists aged 70-80, including theatre stars like Diệu Hiền, Ngọc Đáng and Lệ Thẩm, who performed for more than 30 years and played a role in theatre development.

Free food and healthcare, and even funeral services, are all offered to the residents.

The home receives financial support from local authorities. VNS