The group will stage a total of 20 shows, with each lasting for 50 minutes across the cities of Seoul, Gyungju, Yungduk, and Chuncheon from August 10 to September 6.
They will use the platform to introduce classic water puppetry plays to Korean audiences, such as fishing, buffalo fighting, dragon, and phoenix dances.
They will also spend time holding exchanges alongside local audiences to discuss the traditional Vietnamese art form.
Vietnamese artist Phan Thanh Liem, one of the four puppeteers, shared that he felt delighted at receiving an invitation to perform in the RoK, especially after two years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This will mark the fifth time that Liem has performed in the RoK since 2003. He said Korean audiences had shown great interest in Vietnamese water puppetry in previous performances.
Liem was born into a family that has been preserving the art of water puppetry in Nam Truc district, Nam Dinh province, for seven generations. His father is famous puppeteer Phan Van Ngai, who created the mobile water puppetry stage. Ngai also made the puppet Chu Teu, a humorous farmer, which is currently on display in France’s Louvre Museum.
He is also the very first artisan to create a mini water puppetry stage which hosted regular shows at his private house on Kham Thien street in Hanoi since 2000.
He has been invited to bring his mobile theatre to many international puppet festivals around the world, including in the UK, the RoK, Thailand, China, Italy, Canada, and the United States.
Ancient house in Ma May
NDO – Ma May, a rare quarter that still retains several old houses, has created one of the characteristics of Hanoi. Hanoi’s streets are becoming increasingly crowded and traditional features can sometimes be hidden behind modern life. But if one takes the time to relax and look around, the ancient features begin to reveal themselves.
Dao Thuc Water Puppetry
The water puppetry guild in Dao Thuc Village, 10km from Dong Anh (Hanoi), is well-known both at home and abroad. Over the years, it has performed in several foreign countries such as China, the Netherlands, Thailand and Japan. The village now has become an interesting destination for foreigners to discover the Red River delta’s culture.
Phu Lam storehouse recognised as national art-architectural site
NDO-The Phu Yen Provincial People’s Committee held a ceremony in Phu Yen province on September 22 to receive a certificate recognising “Lam Phu Lam” (Phu Lam storehouse) in Phu Lam ward of Tuy Hoa city as a national art-architectural site.
Vietnam, Japan honour traditional silk, brocade weaving
NDO/VNA – An exchange event introducing the woven silk and brocade products of Vietnam and Japan opened in Hoi An ancient city in the central province of Quang Nam on August 18, as part of the 16th Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange.
Trang Tien ice cream, a Hanoian specialty
NDO/VNA – Arriving in Hanoi in the hot summer, a lot of Hanoians will recommend you go straight to Trang Tien street to get an ice cream. The popular ice cream has become a specialty the city after more than 60 years of sales.
