Honoring art and showing gratitude to theatrical ancestors

This year's Vietnam Stage Day (the 12th day of the eighth lunar month) takes place in a special context when Dong Nai, along with the whole country, operates a two-level local government model, entering a new stage of development with a larger area, a growing population and an increasingly vibrant community of artists.

This is also an opportunity for artists in the province to honor arts and pay tribute to their predecessors who initiated, preserved and developed performing arts; while joining in the joyful atmosphere after the success of the 1st Provincial Party Congress, for the 2025-2030 term.

Traditional beauty in the artists’ life

In celebration of the Vietnam Stage Day this year, on October 1, the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association organized the 16th Anniversary of the stage founders in 2025 with the participation of numerous artists from specialized departments. During the program, Dong Nai artists offered incense, paid tribute to their theatrical ancestors, exchanged and shared experiences in composing, performing and promoting works of art.

Dong Nai artists perform to celebrate Vietnam Stage Day (the 12th day of the eighth lunar month) and to mark the success of the 1st Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030. Photo: My Ny

Deputy Head of the Stage - Cinema Department (Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association) Hoang Tien Diem said: In addition to organizing the incense offering ceremony, Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association also organized a program featuring singing, dancing, circus, and magic performances, with the participation of many artists from Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City, serving the officers and soldiers of the Armored Brigade 26, Military Region 7. The artistic program not only paid tribute to the founders of the stage industry but also demonstrated the spirit of art supporting political missions, celebrated the success of the 1st Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030, contributing to improving the spiritual life of the armed forces and people.

According to Deputy Director of Dong Nai Arts Theater Nguyen Viet Bac, in commemoration of Vietnam Stage Day, the unit organized an incense offering ceremony and a review of traditions on the morning of October 3 (the 12th day of the 8th lunar month) at the theater. This is an opportunity for the unit's artists, actors, directors and musicians to gather, exchange and perform traditional art pieces to express gratitude to the ancestors of the stage industry.

Vietnam Stage Day 2025 takes place in the context of Dong Nai successfully organizing the 1st Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030. This is an opportunity for artists in the province to look back on the process of creation and dedication, thereby continuing to make efforts to unite, creating many works of high ideological and artistic value, supporting political tasks and serving the people.

We pay tribute to our career ancestors in the great joy of our province. The success of the 1st Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030, is the motivation for the artists and actors of the theater to be more determined to create and strive to serve people from all social strata. Dong Nai Theater will constantly innovate, continue to preserve its identity and keep up with the breath of contemporary life" - artist Viet Bac shared.

Chairman of the Dong Nai Province “Don Ca Tai Tu” (Southern folk music) Club Pham Lo said: Every year, the Club organizes the Anniversary Ceremony of the Stage Founders on the 12th day of the 8th lunar month with the participation of many artisans and artists who love the art of Don Ca Tai Tu. In addition to reviewing the merits of the career ancestors, the members of the Club also perform ancient songs together, introduce new compositions, and exchange to spread traditional cultural values.

“Don ca tai tu is a unique art form of the South, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Therefore, we always consider the organization of the anniversary as a sacred occasion to keep the passion of the profession alive, while creating a connecting environment for the young generation who love this art form,” Pham Lo emphasized.

This year, activities to honor the theatrical ancestors also took place enthusiastically in many localities in the province. In communes, wards, and local service centers, many art programs were simultaneously organized to celebrate the success of the 1st Provincial Party Congress to serve the people at the grassroots levels. Many short plays, comedy plays, music and dance performances, etc. have been elaborately staged and performed, imbued with traditional values, both modern and reflecting today's life.

Keeping the artistic flame alive in the new journey

In the post-merger context, Dong Nai province begins a new development term with many opportunities and challenges ahead, which requires the artistic community in the province to continue to affirm their role and responsibility in fostering innovation, spreading cultural values ​​and preserving the traditional art.

Artist Thanh Vinh, Dong Nai Arts Theater shared: “In the new journey, we are more aware of the responsibility of artists to the public. The stage today goes beyond mere performances; it has become a bridge that nurtures the soul, arouses faith and fosters solidarity in the community. Each play, each performance is a tribute to the theatric ancestors, dedicated to the audience, so that art truly accompanies the development of the homeland.”

People's Artist Giang Manh Ha, Vice President of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association, President of the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association, said: In the new development stage, the association will continue to focus on creating a favorable environment for artists to engage with practical realities, participate in creative camps, stage and perform numerous plays, theatrical excerpts, and artistic programs. Through these activities, artists in the province will strive to create many new works that vividly reflect social life, carry contemporary relevance and artistic value, and leave a lasting impression on the public.”

Honoring art and showing gratitude to the theatrical founders is not only the responsibility of artists but also an integral part of the community’s spiritual life. With their dedication and tireless efforts, Dong Nai artistic community are lighting up the stage, so that art continues to be a spiritual support, accompanying the sustainable development of the province, and the country as they enter a new era, an era of national rise.

By My Ny – Translated by Quoc Dung, Thu Ha