At a water puppet show, the audience watches boat races, buffalo fights, fox hunts and other rustic scenes amidst the beating of drums and gongs. The pond and lakes of the northern plains, where crowds gathered during festival and galas, become the lively stages for the water puppet shows. In a number of small villages near Hanoi water puppet theater is still performed at certain festivities, as it has been in times past. It is an old and rare North Vietnamese form of puppet theater, and it has actively been revived since the 1980s. Miettinen of the Theater Academy Helsinki wrote: "Vietnam also has its own tradition of puppet theater, mua roi nuroc (puppets that dance on water). The Vietnamese government has asked that it be declared part of the world’s cultural heritage by UNESCO.ĭr. Water puppetry nearly died during the war years but has been revived in recent years and is enjoyed by Vietnamese and tourists. More of a folk art than a court art, it has a long history of being performed in ponds and rice paddies during lulls in the agriculture cycle. According to one story, water puppetry was developed in the 11th century in the Red River Delta by puppeteers who decided to carry on even though there was a flood.
The stories, which are well-known to Vietnamese, are conveyed through actions. Performances are usually accompanied by music and have little dialogues.
Featuring stories from everyday life and famous legends, it features fire-breathing dragons, farmers, frogs, old men, gods, goddesses, and fish. “By working with BCA and TRAFFIC, we are hoping to have a lasting impact on the youth of Ha Noi so that they will appreciate and value their natural heritage and want to protect the environment.Water puppetry is unique to Vietnam. “As one of the most visited attractions for students, adults and tourists in Ha Noi, we thought it was important to develop a show which discusses pressing environmental issues in a way that is understandable and fun for children,” said Mr Nguyen Hoang Tuan, Director of Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. The show will become a permanent feature of Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre’s weekly lineup of performances available to the general public. “Events such as this help students learn about the biological world and the huge diversity of plants and animals in Viet Nam and why this is worth protecting.” “Given the role of the environment in shaping people’s lives, it is necessary to educate children about the dangers of environmental degradation as they are the future of this country.”
“It is important that environmental issues, including biodiversity protection, start to become a required topic that is incorporated into educational policies and youth programs in Viet Nam,” said Dr Pham Anh Cuong, Director of BCA. The water puppet show will help to expose students to pressing environmental issues that are not always discussed within traditional educational settings. “People need to be aware of just how amazing and unique Viet Nam’s wild animals are, and how best to live in harmony with them.”Īlthough some primary and secondary schools in Ha Noi include issues relating to the environment and biodiversity as part of their curricula, this is primarily due to the efforts of individuals within schools rather than an overarching educational policy. “As Viet Nam sees many of its species being lost to habitat destruction, climate change and poaching, many young Vietnamese are growing up in a time in which their natural heritage is being taken away from them,” said Dr Naomi Doak, Coordinator of TRAFFIC’s Greater Mekong.
#Water puppetry series#
Schoolchildren from selected primary schools will attend the newly developed show called “Ao Lang – Village Pond” during May.Īo Lang focuses on the importance of biodiversity protection and water conservation through a series of short stories exploring issues of habitat degradation and competition for natural resources and is a part of the theatre’s efforts to create socially conscious yet entertaining shows that showcase the rich history of Vietnamese water puppetry.
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