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Through folk music combined with contemporary dance, "Straw" will bring audiences an intoxicating afternoon filled with the scent of ripening rice right in the heart of Hoi An's rice-growing region. The performance tells the story of the simple and genuine feelings of a Vietnamese farming family. The rustic, familiar haystack is an important "witness" alongside the house.
Straw is more than just a dance performance.
Anyone who has ever been to Hoi An knows about the ancient beauty of the old town. But with "Rơm," visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a completely new space, where they can clearly feel the breath of the harvest season, listen to the wind blowing through the rice fields, and enjoy wonderful artistic performances.
Hoi An has opened a new chapter in its cultural exploration journey by hosting, for the first time, a unique art performance against the backdrop of golden ripe rice fields.
From the time they were young, when they met, got married, and had children, to when the children were born and spent their childhood playing and being mischievous under the haystacks. As time passed and the children grew up, the grandparents would sit under the haystacks again, discussing marriage arrangements for them.
After the harvest, carts of straw follow the farmers home. In the distance, through the hazy evening smoke, behind the old betel nut trees, the village is dotted with the image of golden straw piled high. The image of a bountiful harvest, the scent of straw permeating every cell, overflows with happiness and gratitude for the fields, for the straw that has embraced and sheltered the lives of Vietnamese farmers in their peaceful villages.
Cultural stories are conveyed through each dance.
Beyond a mere art performance, "Straw" is part of Hoi An city's strategic vision to build a sustainable eco-cultural-tourism city. By maximizing the potential of culture and art, Hoi An not only preserves its unique identity but also affirms its position as a creative city of international stature.
The focus is primarily on developing and innovating existing potentials and advantages, especially in the field of culture and arts; the policy is to promote innovation and creativity, choose sustainable development, value ecological and humanistic values, create opportunities and nurture new creative values on the foundation of preserving and promoting the cultural heritage values of Hoi An, in order to affirm and enhance Hoi An's title as a UNESCO Creative City.
"Straw" is part of Hoi An city's strategic vision.
Artistic director Nguyen Tan Loc shared: "The story of Straw is not just a dance performance; it's an occasion to honor the ingenuity and perseverance of the Vietnamese people."
Performing against the backdrop of ripe rice fields during harvest season, Arabesque is the first to introduce the combination of contemporary dance and nature (ambiance dance) to Hoi An (Ambiance dance is a performance style that combines dance language with outdoor spaces, sound, and scenery... very popular worldwide, especially in cultural and tourist cities).
"I walk amidst a sea of gold."
Artistic director Nguyen Tan Loc shared: "The story of Straw is not just a dance performance; it's an occasion to celebrate the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese people. As the performance unfolds, in the gentle moment of sunset, we hope that the audience, especially international tourists, will feel what has shaped this unique culture."
With "Straw," visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a completely new and unique space.
"Straw" is a 60-minute performance, taking place at the Heart of Hoi An Rice Field, Truong Le Hamlet, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City. There are only 4 performances, over 4 days, from August 22nd to 25th, at sunset (expected 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM), with a total seating capacity of 240 people per performance.
Performing outdoors is no easy feat. Without flashy effects, the artists have to shine on their own. With relentless effort, they transformed difficulties into motivation, delivering unforgettable moments of exhilaration to the audience. Itching, heat, sweat... but all of that vanished as the artists immersed themselves in the rhythm of "Straw." The outdoor stage became an emotionally charged space where the audience and artists shared a moment of transcendence.
Through folk music combined with contemporary dance, Rơm will offer audiences an afternoon intoxicated by the scent of ripening rice.
The endless expanse of golden rice paddies is the soul of "Straw". Hoi An, with its ripening rice fields, has become a vibrant painting, where the seasons change day by day, hour by hour. It is this miraculous transformation of nature that nourishes the souls of the artists, creating a unique and profound work of art.
Straw is a milestone in our journey of cultivating a love for the art of dance, with the aspiration to bring Vietnamese dance and Vietnamese culture closer to art lovers both domestically and internationally.
