Hat Boi at the bar

In recent days, many audiences in Ho Chi Minh City have been particularly interested in the fact that a bar has invited artists from the Ho Chi Minh City Opera Theatre to perform. Each show lasts about 15-20 minutes, and the artists will perform some of the most outstanding excerpts from classic plays. After the performance, the artists, in full makeup and costumes, will interact with the audience, creating a lively and intimate atmosphere.

Hat Boi in a bar in Ho Chi Minh City

The model of bringing hát bội to bars was tested more than a year ago and received many mixed opinions. However, it was not until the recent September 2nd holiday that hát bội performances in bars were officially professionalized from the organization, script building to performance, exchange... As soon as the information was officially announced, the number of customers coming to the bar skyrocketed, with many consecutive days of no vacancies.

As an artistic activity associated with communal houses and temples, with spiritual events such as the Ky Yen festival or programs on the stage of a regular theater, the introduction of hát bội into a purely entertainment environment such as a bar makes many people worry: will it lose the inherent "sacredness" of this traditional art form? In answering this question, many cultural researchers have frankly stated that it is the respect in the hearts of the audience that creates the "sacredness" of hát bội, not the performance space. Because the nature of hát bội is a performing art, that is, it must be directed towards the audience, depending on the space and audience, there will be appropriate changes. In communal houses and temples, hát bội adheres to traditional ritual standards. In theaters, hát bội brings completeness and fullness. And in open spaces such as walking streets, parks, schools, shops, etc., hát bội reaches the public because it is close, easy to listen to, easy to feel. The appearance of hát bội in bars or open cultural events does not lose its core values, but on the contrary, affirms its contemporary vitality.

The issues of “preservation” and “development” always go hand in hand in the story of traditional culture. “Preservation” helps modern people establish their identity, connect with their ancestors, and preserve old ways in the midst of globalization. However, if they do not “develop”, assimilate and adapt to the times, traditional cultural heritage will be at risk of being lost, isolated and gradually losing its foothold. Therefore, traditional arts such as hát bội are forced to move and find their way into contemporary life - of course on the basis of understanding and respecting core values.

For many years now, museums and cultural spaces in Ho Chi Minh City have regularly organized performances, seminars, and introduced traditional arts to young audiences. Typically, traditional music, which originated from after-work singing sessions on porches and waterfronts, has been practiced in cafes and restaurants. This is a clear demonstration of the adaptability and ability of cultural heritage to accompany modern life.

Whether or not to change the practice space of some cultural heritages needs to be considered in more depth: how to make every innovation and expansion of space based on knowledge and responsibility for heritage. We should not “frame” tradition as an immutable mold, but we also cannot arbitrarily “change the clothes” of heritage to follow temporary tastes. The important thing is that every step is aimed at the dual goal: protecting identity and nurturing the contemporary vitality of cultural heritages.

From that perspective, bringing hát bội into bars is not only a performance experiment, but also a lesson in how to preserve and develop. It shows that if we know how to rely on a solid understanding, on the intrinsic value of art, we can turn modern spaces into “launching pads” for traditional heritage. And it is the young audience - those who seem to be unfamiliar with hát bội, who will become the new force to preserve and continue this unique art form.

HONG DUONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hat-boi-o-quan-bar-post815151.html