Vietnamese Traditional Opera Introduced in RoK

With the theme of “Alternative Reality,” Tuong (Hat Boi) of Vietnam is introduced as a traditional opera with moral messages, featuring its unique makeup techniques that almost resemble masks. Source: ICHCAP-UNESCO

Articles, photos and videos about models of characters in Vietnamese Hat Boi art are being displayed at the exhibition “Alternative Identities: Masks of ASEAN & Korea” in the city of Busan.

Jointly held by the Korea Foundation ASEAN Culture House and the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP), the collaborative exhibition "Alternative Identities: Masks of ASEAN and Korea" introduces “other faces” created by the people of Korea and ASEAN countries under the theme of “Mask,” the cultural heritage of humanity

This collaborative exhibition, featuring more than two hundred masks, costumes, and multimedia materials from Korea and 10 ASEAN countries, unfolds the interesting spiritual culture of Korea and ASEAN people in five sections, according to ICHCAP-UNESCO.

The first section, with the theme of “Origin of Masks,” showcases and introduces the origins of shamanistic masks intended to ward off disaster and disease and to pray for good harvests, and masks for performance in plays and other entertainment forms. In the second section, “Representation of Myth,” ASEAN mask dramas that portray ancient epics are displayed.

In the third section, with the theme of “Alternative Reality,” Hat Boi of Vietnam is introduced as a traditional opera with moral messages, featuring its unique makeup techniques that almost resemble masks.

The fourth section, “Reflection of Self,” shows masks used in local festivals in the Philippines and presents contemporary artworks to contemplate the modern meaning of masks.

The fifth section celebrates the inscription of Talchum, Mask Dance Drama in the Republic of Korea on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in November 2022 and exhibits thirteen kinds of masks, all of which were displayed when Talchum was nominated.

“Hat boi”, a traditional performance art of Vietnam, has a rich historical foundation, and quite an influence on the community. Source: ICHCAP-UNESCO

The article, image, and video about the model of characters in the art of hat boi are prepared by the Hieu Van Ngu (Culture Fish) group.

Established in 2020, the Hieu Van Ngu group is improving its “Hat Boi 101” project promoting the beauty of this kind of art with an archive of typical characters of Hat Boi.

Hieu Van Ngu is a group of friends who come from many different fields but share the same love for Vietnamese art materials including Luc Pham Quynh Nhi, Ha Thuc Duc Tung, Vuong Hoai Lam, Josh Trombley, Ta Ngoc Uyen Phuong, Nguyen Le Thanh Thao, Ha Hoang Minh Trang, Tran Thi Minh Thuy.

The project presenting 15 characters of Hat Boi carries out with the support of the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP), Ho Chi Minh City Hat Boi Theater and researcher Vuong Hoai Lam.

Figures fashioned from colored rice dough. Source: ICHCAP-UNESCO

In the information shared on the official page, Hieu Van Ngu said that in addition to the content shown, figures are fashioned from to he (colored rice dough), modeling after actors from the HCMC Hat Boi Art Theater, implemented in the archival project with Hieu Van Ngu before.

In addition, the organizers also display a model of a miniature singing stage model according to the prototype from the Ngoc Khanh Art Troupe that Hieu Van Ngu introduced in the “Hat Boi 101” project trailer.

A miniature singing stage model according to the prototype from the Ngoc Khanh Art Troupe. Source: ICHCAP-UNESCO

“Hat boi”, a traditional performance art of Vietnam, has a rich historical foundation, and quite an influence on the community. Just like any traditional art form, the stage of Hat boi also consists of Vietnamese aesthetic values, reflecting the life, stories, and aspirations of the common Vietnamese people.

Hat boi is often performed at ceremonies and festivals at temples and pagodas in central and southern provinces, such as Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Tien Giang, and Soc Trang.

Along with traditional arts such as cheo (traditional opera) in the north and cai luong (reformed theatre) in the south, tuong has contributed to the spirit and character of the Vietnamese.

The art has three performance styles such as tuồng phò (plays based on Chinese old stories), tuồng đồ (plays featuring Vietnamese historical events and national heroes), and tuồng hài (comedies about people in daily life).

Artists in the 13th century entertained royalty, and later the art form was adapted and introduced to residents around the region. Stories in hat boi feature historical and social events.

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