Through folk music combined with contemporary dance, Rom will bring the audience an afternoon intoxicated with the scent of ripe rice right in the heart of Hoi An rice fields. The play tells the story of the simple and genuine feelings of a Vietnamese farming family. The rustic and familiar haystack is an important "witness" next to the house.
Straw is more than just a dance performance
Anyone who has been to Hoi An knows the ancient beauty of the old town. But with "Rom", visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a completely new space, where they can clearly feel the breath of the harvest, listen to the wind blowing in the rice fields and enjoy wonderful art performances.
Hoi An has opened a new chapter in its journey of cultural discovery when, for the first time, it organized a unique art performance on the backdrop of golden ripe rice fields.
From the time they were young, met each other, got married and had children, until the children were born and spent their childhood playing and being mischievous under the haystacks. As time went on, the children grew up, the grandparents sat under the haystacks to plan their marriages.
After the harvest, carts of straw follow the footsteps of farmers returning home. Far away in the blue smoke of the afternoon, behind the rows of old areca trees, in the village, the image of piles of yellow straw is faintly seen. The image of a bountiful harvest, the smell of straw permeates every cell, overflowing with happiness, gratitude for the fields, gratitude for the straw that has embraced and protected the lives of Vietnamese farmers in the peaceful countryside.
Cultural stories conveyed through each dance
Going beyond an art performance, “Straw” is part of Hoi An city’s strategic vision to build a sustainable ecological, cultural and tourist city. By maximizing the potential of culture and art, Hoi An not only preserves its own identity but also affirms its position as an internationally creative city.
The most important focus is on promoting and creating existing potentials and advantages, especially in the field of culture and arts; promoting innovation and creativity, choosing sustainable development, valuing ecological and humanistic values, creating opportunities and nurturing new creative values on the basis of preserving and promoting the cultural heritage values of Hoi An, in order to affirm and promote the title of Hoi An - UNESCO Creative City.
"Straw" is part of the strategic vision of Hoi An city
Artistic director Nguyen Tan Loc shared: "The Story of Straw is not just a dance performance, it is an occasion to honor the ingenuity and resilient spirit of the Vietnamese people."
Performing against the backdrop of ripe rice fields in harvest season, Arabesque introduced for the first time the combination of contemporary dance and nature (ambiance dance) to Hoi An (Ambiance Dance is a performance form that combines dance language with outdoor space, sound, context... very popular in the world, especially in cultural and tourist cities).
"I walk in the middle of the golden sea"
Artistic director Nguyen Tan Loc shared: "The Story of Rom is more than just a dance performance; it is a celebration of the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese people. When the performance takes place, at the tender moment of sunset, we hope the audience, especially international tourists, will feel what has shaped this special culture."
With "Straw", visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a completely new space.
"Straw" lasts 60 minutes/show, taking place at Hoi An Rice Heart Field, Truong Le block, Cam Chau ward, Hoi An city. The play has only 4 shows, taking place in 4 days, from August 22 to 25 at sunset (expected 5:30-6:30 pm) with a total of 240 seats in the stands/show.
The outdoor stage is not easy. Without flashy effects, the artists have to shine on their own. With their tireless efforts, they have turned difficulties into motivation, bringing the audience unforgettable moments of sublimation. Itchy, hot, sweaty... but all of them disappear when the artists immerse themselves in each rhythm of "Rom". The outdoor stage becomes an emotional space, where the audience and artists sublimate together.
Through folk music combined with contemporary dance, Rom will bring the audience an afternoon intoxicated with the scent of ripe rice.
The endless sea of golden rice is the soul of "Straw". Hoi An, with its ripe rice fields, has become a vivid picture, where the crops change every day, every hour. It is the magical transformation of nature that has nurtured the souls of the artists, creating a unique and profound work of art.
Straw is a mark in the journey of building love for the art of dance, with the aspiration to bring Vietnamese dance and Vietnamese culture closer to art lovers at home and abroad.
