Te Tieu dry puppetry, formed and developed from the spiritual beliefs of the residents of the Northern Delta, is a unique cultural heritage crystallized from the talent and dedication of many generations of artisans. Originating from sacred customs and the concept of animism, this art form has transcended time, becoming an indispensable part of Vietnamese cultural life. Unlike water puppetry, dry puppetry is performed on a dry stage and preserves more than 100 unique stories such as Saint Giong fighting the An invaders, Thoat Hoan crawling through a copper tube, or Thach Sanh killing a python spirit.
In 2024, within the framework of celebrating the 120th anniversary of Ha Dong's founding, the Van Phuc Craft Village Culture - Tourism - Trade Week will be held with the theme "Ha Dong Silk Hometown - Convergence of Quintessence"
One of the factors that make dry puppetry attractive is the intricately carved and colorful puppets. To create the puppets, artisans often choose xoan or sung wood - a type of wood that is light, durable, easy to carve and does not crack in tropical climates. Meritorious artisan Pham Cong Bang, head of the Te Tieu ancient dry puppetry troupe, said: “To make puppets, Te Tieu artisans often choose xoan and sung wood. This type of wood is light, convenient for hand-held performances. Sung and xoan wood also do not crack and are easy to find in the countryside.”
Music also plays an important role in puppet shows. The puppet stage uses traditional instruments such as drums, bamboo flutes, zithers, flutes, and monochords to keep the rhythm of the movements and stir up the atmosphere. Folk melodies, cheo and van songs combined with humorous and charming dialogues have created the vitality and appeal of this art form.
The exhibition space is not elaborate but still attracts visitors' eyes.
At the exhibition, the puppets of Te Tieu puppetry troupe are displayed prominently with delicate carvings. Each puppet, from the character Thach Sanh with his strong appearance and tough face, to Ly Thong with his cunning and cunning face, all exude a distinct personality. Looking at the puppets, visitors can feel the elaborateness and meticulousness in each carving, from the colorful costumes to the smiling eyes.
In particular, the puppet representing the general with splendid armor and fierce face makes a strong impression with elaborate details such as long beard or determined eyes that breathe life into the work, making visitors almost feel the strong spirit and indomitable will that this character represents. Each puppet seems to be telling its own story, reminding of historical stories and myths that have been associated with many generations of Vietnamese people.
As a folk art form that has existed for many generations, from the old days when it was only performed during village festivals, the presence of dry puppetry in the Van Phuc silk village cultural week is a clear proof that traditional values still have an important place in modern life. The exhibition space has conveyed a strong message that puppets and plays are not only artistic products but also a part of the spiritual and cultural life of the community.
In the context of modern art forms on the rise, continuing to preserve and promote this art form is not only to introduce it to tourists but also to nurture national pride, especially among the younger generation.
Te Tieu dry puppetry is a folk art form that has existed for many generations.
The puppets, though quietly displayed on the display shelves, still seem to speak of the resilient spirit and strong belief in the good values that Vietnamese folk art represents. Coming to the Folk Woodwork Exhibition, people not only get to admire wonderful works of art but also get a clearer sense of the vitality of a heritage, of how ancient stories can continue to inspire in today's life. These are witnesses of time, a "message" from our ancestors about cherishing and preserving the good things of national cultural identity in the modern flow.
Please enjoy some other pictures:
The beautiful Van Phuc silk village road is like Hoi An right in Hanoi
Coming to Van Phuc, visitors not only have the opportunity to shop for genuine Ha Dong silk products
and visit the silk production process of artisans
In addition to the Folk Painting Exhibition, there are many other cultural and artistic activities and programs.
Cultural week at Van Phuc silk village attracts many people to experience, from students...
... to foreign tourists
The space is invested in decoration to welcome tourists to visit and learn about the traditional culture of the craft village.
