Various Vietnamese art and cultural performances with traditional and modern features were introduced at the ongoing Berlin Asian Arts Festival on September 30, VNA reported.

This is the first time the Berlin Asian Arts Festival has been held. With the participation of many countries, this festival gives German and European audiences a profound and interesting insight into the diverse and colorful art space of Asia. The program includes many art performances, concerts, workshops, film screenings and several other forms of performance.

The Tale of Kieu telling in German by German artist Christiane Voigt, on the background of the guitar version of the Kieu Suite by music professor Dang Ngoc Long, director of the music school Berlin Gesundbrunnen. Source: Berlin Asia Arts Club

Attending the program were many friends from Germany and other countries, as well as Vietnamese people living in Germany. The program also had the presence of Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Duc Vu Quang Minh and his spouse.

Audiences at the event were astonished with a storytelling performance of “Truyen Kieu” (The Tale of Kieu), a literary legacy left by great poet Nguyen Du. It was performed by German artist Christiane Voigt in German with “To Khuc Kieu” (Kieu Suite) by guitar as music background.

This unique way of expression brought many surprises to the audience. The warm and inspiring voice of Christiane Voigt, combined with the melodious, profound and richly-imaged musical melodies of the Kieu Suite, brought listeners to a strange world of Eastern culture.

Professor, composer, classical guitarist Dang Ngoc Long composed the classical music piece for guitar “Kieu Suite” to bring the story to the European public in a more diverse and novel way.

Truyen Kieu recounts the life, trials and tribulations of Thuy Kieu, a beautiful and talented young woman who had to sell herself into prostitution to save her father from prison. To date, the Tale of Kieu has been translated into 20 different languages. The German edition by authors Franz and Irene Faber is the first translation of the master piece in German-speaking countries.

The story of Kieu's life and the profound philosophies about social relationships, life and human destiny were told vividly and expressively, making the listeners emotional.

Vietnamese artists perform at the Berlin Asian Arts Festival, in Germany. Photo: VNA

Besides, audiences at the event enjoyed many performances of national musical instruments imbued with Vietnamese folk culture, performed by the Hoa Sen (Lotus) Quartet. With skillful hands and skills, the artists played many folk melodies from the North, Central, and South of Vietnam.

The audience has an opportunity to learn about traditional Vietnamese musical instruments such as monochord, erhu, zither, bamboo flute, and traditional Vietnamese drum, among others.

The performances delivered by overseas Vietnamese artists living in Germany have actively contributed to promoting traditional Vietnamese culture and arts to international friends.

The Berlin Asian Arts Festival offers an exciting and diverse insight into the Asian art space to German and European audiences.

Running from September 15 to October 8, the event includes art performances, concerts, workshops, film screenings and several other forms of performance.

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