Keep the ancient puppet soul

With the attention of the Hanoi government, the local cultural sector and the enthusiastic response of the people, Te Tieu dry puppetry has been invested in facilities and development orientation to continue to preserve and maintain creativity and performing activities to serve the spiritual life of the people, contributing to creating tourism products imbued with national cultural identity.

Author photosonca with the work series " Keeping the soul of ancient puppets ". Place of creation: My Duc Commune, Hanoi , Vietnam

Introduction: The National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Te Tieu Dry Puppetry is a folk performing art with a history of more than 400 years, created, performed and passed down by the people of My Duc Delta (Hanoi City); typically the family of Meritorious Artist Pham Cong Bang through generations of passion, preservation and together with local people to preserve and promote the value of dry puppetry art to this day. The dry puppetry was created for the purpose of serving farmers to enjoy and entertain on holidays, festivals, and leisure days. The making of puppets and the content of the performance are often recreated, originating from the daily production and living activities of the people and from historical stories, fairy tales, with witty and humorous images and dialogues to create joy and smiles for the audience. Nowadays, Te Tieu puppet troupe also creates puppets from recycled materials, innovates puppet control technology, and updates contemporary stories into the content. Many musical knowledge is incorporated into plays such as cheo, xam, ca tru, etc., enriching the form of expression and enhancing the value of performing arts. Hundreds of performances, many awards in performing activities and training the young generation have affirmed the vitality of Te Tieu Dry Puppetry Heritage.

Meritorious artist Pham Cong Bang, a man dedicated to preserving Te Tieu dry puppetry

The art of dry puppetry and ancient puppetry is passed down through generations.

Creating puppets with their own identity is the unique feature of Te Tieu dry puppetry.

The art of puppetry is very close to everyday life.

The play's content is imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity.

The performers are farmers, they tell stories of their hometown's production and labor.

Not modern and sophisticated, dry puppetry still has the power to attract the community

The Keepers of Ancient Puppet Souls

9. Children's joy in living with puppet characters

Puppetry art enters folk life

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