NINH BÌNH – Nearly 800 chèo (traditional opera) artists from traditional troupes nationwide are performing at the Chèo National Festival 2016 in the northern province of Ninh Bình.

The festival features some 27 shows performed by chèo troupes, such as the Việt Nam Chèo Theatre and the Hà Nội Chèo Theatre, Hải Phòng Chèo Theatre and others from the northern provinces.

Chèo originated in the 10th century from folk music and dance and is popular in areas in the north. When farmers in the Red River Delta had finished harvesting, they organised a festival to entertain themselves and thank the gods who supported them..

“Chèo is very important to Vietnamese traditional culture,” People’s Artist Vương Duy Biên, deputy minister of culture, sports and tourism, said.

“Like many other traditional genres, chèo is facing the challenge of not attracting young spectators. Artists and art managers need to show their creativity by reflecting modern times.

“Chèo artists need to try their best to preserve the essence of the traditional genre and inspire young artists,” Biên said at the festival’s opening ceremony held last Saturday.

The opening ceremony saw Cánh Chim Trắng Trong Đêm being performed by the Hà Nội Chèo Theatre.

People’s Artist Doãn Hoàng Giang’s stage work is based on a love triangle between a traditional singer, a Vietnamese soldier and a French officer.

The story, which relates to a milestone of Hà Nội Capital in 1954, is portrayed with a human angle and doesn’t depict a dramatic battle scene.

Hà Nội Chèo Theatre’s performance won three gold medals and best performance at the Hà Nội First Theatre Festival 2014.

Cánh Chim Trắng Trong Đêm is among the three works being presented by the Hà Nội Chèo Theatre at the national festival.

The chèo festival is organised every three years by the Performing Arts Department in coordination with the Việt Nam Theatre Artists Association.

It is an opportunity for managers and experts to assess the quality of chèo performances to implement a proper decision and strategy to develop chèo art in modern times.

The best performances and the best artists will be awarded gold and silver medals along with cash rewards during the closing ceremony on October 8 at the Ninh Bình Chèo Theatre.

Spectators in the districts of Nho Quan, Gia Viễn, Yên Mô and Yên Khánh, as well as Kim Sơn and Tam Điệp will be able to enjoy live performances by chèo troupes during the festival. — VNS