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Vietnam students use art to raise awareness of social issues

Vietnam students use art to raise awareness of social issues

Wednesday, September 10, 2014, 11:21 GMT+7

A group of students in Hanoi have decided to organize a project which uses various forms of art, including photo exhibitions, paintings, and plays, to talk about social issues.

The “Di va Mo” (Go and Open) project aims at promoting the arts and raising people’s awareness of social problems, such as environmental protection, traffic safety, and the preservation of Vietnam’s cultural identity.

Meaningful action

The project was established in June by Nguyen Minh Thang, an alumni of National Economics University; and Khuat Thi Ly Na, who currently studies theater directing in France.

The main activity of the project, which has attracted around 60 members, including 17 actors and dozens of volunteers, is to organize community arts activities associated with important issues in society.

“‘Di va Mo’ are our core values on which we focus. ‘Di’ indicates activeness, determination and commitment, while ‘Mo’ expresses creativity, openness and inspiration,” Ly Na said on explaining the project’s name.

The students had to manage every step, including finding a venue and sponsors, writing the script, preparing clothes and a stage, and promoting the event. 

According to Hoang Dieu Quynh, a “Di va Mo” team member, the project is expected to take place every summer and address a wide range of topics.

“We will also discuss next year’s content and see whether we should bring cai luong [reformed theater favored by Vietnamese southerners] or cheo [traditional opera popular in northern Vietnam] or hat boi [classical Vietnamese opera common in the north] to the audiences,” Quynh added.

Professor Nguyen Lan Dung, the project’s advisor, shared: “This is a meaningful action of young Vietnamese students, as it brings a positive impact to society. These extracurricular activities, which enhance students’ creativity and practice, should be applied in the country’s curriculum.”

The project is supported by the Vietnam Television Station and several non-profit organizations, including the Center for Community Empowerment (CECEM), the Water Resources Conservation and Development (WARECOD), and the Center for Research and Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CED).

The play that saves the environment

“Di va Mo”’s first event is a play entitled “Dong song khong tro lai” (The River of No Return), which was performed on August 30 and 31 in two villages in Hanoi’s Thanh Oai District, namely Khuc Thuy and Khe Tang.

The events, which lasted from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, attracted around 1,000 participants, including local government officials and residents as well as representatives of the non-profit groups mentioned above.

“Dong song khong tro lai” tells the story of Thach, a local worker who wants to save the river in his hometown from pollution. The play ended with Thach’s death from cancer due to the polluted water, and left viewers with thoughtful memories.  

The project also brought local residents a painting exhibition entitled “Dong song uoc mo” (The River of Dreams), which showcased 30 works by 30 students from Thanh Oai District’s Cu Khe Elementary School.

The paintings were selected from dozens of artworks submitted to a drawing competition held on August 11 at the school. The competition aimed to encourage the youths to raise their voice against environmental destruction.

Khe Tang and Khuc Thuy both have polluted rivers due to local residents’ activities, including the direct release of untreated domestic wastewater and trash, as well as industrial production.

According to Vu Duc Dam Trang, one of the “Di va Mo” project’s members, the play uses an emotional story that depicts the most beautiful memories of local residents of the river, thus changing their mindset about environmental problems.

“During the preparation phase, we faced many difficulties, as some people had rejected our proposal, saying they didn’t want to join our activities,” Dam Trang shared.

The students, thanks to their enthusiasm, commitment and determination, finally persuaded a number of locals to take part in “Di va Mo,” as they contributed ideas to the script, agreed to join the play as supporting actors, and provided props including jars, baskets, tables, and chairs.

“Our voice had never been heard and respected like this. We were happy to watch a play that involved our opinions on how to protect the river and environment,” Dao Thi Loan, a resident of Khuc Thuy Village, shared.

Vu Duc Manh, who played the role of Thach, decided to temporarily stop one of his courses at school to focus on the play. 

“All I wanted was to try my best on the stage and bring local residents thoughtful memories. Although we hadn’t performed on a flashy, catchy and professional stage, we still felt very happy and fulfilled,” the 22-year-old student said.

Tuoi Tre

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