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| Front page of Hue Today Weekly Issue No. 76 |
This issue of Hue Today Weekly features a range of engaging articles awaiting readers, including: Rising from the Mud Like a Lotus (Tue Ninh); Hue University’s Aspiration for Transformation (Tu An); Partnering to Build a Digital City (Hoai Thuong); Finding Peace Through Mini Camping (Mai Hue); Building Cultural Industries for Hue, a Heritage City (Phan Thanh Hai); The Voice of the Great Highlands in the Heart of the Ancient Capital (Pham Phuoc Chau); and Evidence from “The Pink Lotus Bud Secret Order” (Phuoc Ly).
“Partnering to Build a Digital City” is the topic explored by Hoai Thuong, the author, in the Economy & Development section, carrying the message that: To realize the goal of building a digital city, in addition to the determination of local authorities, Hue needs the partnership of the technology business community in investing in infrastructure, providing solutions, and sharing practical experience.
“The participation of businesses not only helps the locality improve its digital infrastructure but also contributes to developing telecommunications infrastructure, gradually forming a technology ecosystem that serves residents and businesses. Currently, Hue City has 359 digital technology enterprises in operation. However, most are small-scale companies with limited resources. Therefore, attracting major technology corporations to invest and cooperate in digital infrastructure development is considered a necessary requirement in the coming period,” Hoai Thuong notes.
Evidence from “The Pink Lotus Bud Secret Order” is a cultural story introduced by Phuoc Ly, who expresses delight at seeing the efforts of the Ancient Capital’s artists to revitalize tuong opera through modern themes that resonate with contemporary life.
The artwork “The Pink Lotus Bud Secret Order” (written by Ngo Sinh, directed by Meritorious Artist Hoang Trong Cuong, and staged by Hue Royal Traditional Arts Theatre) takes audiences back to the period when the American empire intensified its “Vietnamization of the War” strategy and carried out numerous intelligence and espionage activities aiming at undermining the revolutionary movement.
Bringing the image of a modern public security officer onto the stage of traditional tuong opera posed a considerable challenge for the creative team. Nevertheless, “The Pink Lotus Bud Secret Order” demonstrates that tuong is fully capable of approaching new themes when the strengths of this art form are properly utilized.
Beyond the performances, the success of “The Pink Lotus Bud Secret Order” also lies in its handling of theatrical language. The director made effective use of tuong’s distinctive characteristics, such as symbolism, stylization, and traditional melodies, while refreshing the action sequences and pacing to suit a modern subject matter.
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| Report & Notes page in Hue Today Weekly No. 76 |
This week’s Report & Notes section presents the story of the village elder Ho Xuan De - Keeper of the Pa Hy’s Cultural Flame, as told by Linh Chi.
For many years, the Pa Hy people in Binh Dien Commune have referred to Ho Xuan De as a “living vault of knowledge” of their ethnic group. At the age of 84, he continues to quietly pass on to younger generations Pa Hy songs, dances, rituals, and beautiful customs so that traditional Pa Hy culture will not be overshadowed by the flow of modern life.
“Elder De is one of the few people who still possesses profound knowledge of Pa Hy culture, festivals, folk songs, folk dances, and more. He is deeply devoted and is always concerned that the culture of his ancestors may fade away”, Linh Chi, the author shares, quoting Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet, Head of the Farmers’ Association Chapter of Hamlet 1, Binh Dien Commune, speaking about Ho Xuan De.
“... Elder De says that every Pa Hy person must be conscious of preserving their roots so that their culture can endure. The knowledge of our ancestors cannot survive unless it is passed down from elders to the young, from grandparents and parents to their descendants,” Linh Chi conveys.