On the evening of December 27th, at the Central Circus (Hanoi), the "Dong Ho Painted Circus" event brought a new cultural experience to a large number of international audiences.
Through contemporary circus language, Dong Ho folk paintings - a heritage associated with rural life in the North - are recounted in a vivid and easily felt way, making many foreign tourists excited and curious.
Unlike accessing heritage through museums or books, international audiences can "watch" Dong Ho paintings through body movements, acrobatics, balance and juggling.
Familiar characters in paintings such as buffaloes, pigs, family life scenes, village festivals... step out of the paper, present directly on stage, helping viewers without much background knowledge can still feel the spirit and story of Vietnamese culture.
Anna Müller - a German tourist - said that this is the first time she has had access to Dong Ho paintings in this way.
I don't understand Vietnamese, but through circus, I still feel the joy, closeness and community in the life of Vietnamese people. Everything is very intuitive and easy to access," she shared.
Not only stopping at enjoying, many international tourists also actively learn more about heritage.
In the daytime experience area, international audiences enthusiastically participated in printing Dong Ho paintings, asking about wood carving techniques, joss paper and the origin of natural colors. According to the organizers, this is a sign that storytelling with performing arts has evoked real interest, not just temporary emotions.
Besides international guests, a large number of young Vietnamese audiences were also present at the program. The fact that heritage is presented in a modern form makes many young people feel closer, thereby creating a space for intersection between cultures right in the circus.
Vu Thi Thuy Ly - a student in Hanoi - commented: "Watching with foreign visitors, I see that Dong Ho paintings are not only a story of Vietnamese people, but can also touch the common emotions of many cultures.
In the context that Dong Ho folk painting profession has just been listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection, "Dong Ho Painting Circus" is seen as a remarkable creative effort in bringing the heritage out of the familiar display space to enter contemporary life.
Choosing circus - a universal art form, easily accessible to international audiences - has helped the story of Dong Ho paintings overcome language barriers, become more visual and emotional.
Many foreign tourists said that the combination of physical movement, music and folk images has made them remember Dong Ho paintings longer than just watching paintings in museums.
From the initial curiosity, many people began to question the meaning of the paintings, about the life of the ancient Vietnamese people and the role of paintings in community activities. According to the organizers, that is the goal of the program: not only to introduce heritage, but also to inspire cultural dialogue and long-term attention from the public.
On the side of young Vietnamese audiences, witnessing international visitors excitedly enjoying folk paintings right at the circus also creates a new perspective on familiar heritage. When Dong Ho paintings are welcomed as a cultural value capable of communicating with the world, young people have more faith that national heritage can completely go hand in hand with contemporary art, even becoming an effective cultural bridge.
From the positive effects of "Dong Ho Painting Circus", innovating heritage is not about changing core values, but about telling stories that are suitable for today's public.
When heritage is placed in a vivid space, with direct participation and experience, Dong Ho paintings are not only "watched", but also felt, remembered and continued to spread, contributing to affirming the sustainable vitality of Vietnamese culture in the flow of international integration.
