The 2025 National Cheo Festival ended on the evening of November 2 in Bac Ninh, concluding nearly two weeks of performances with the participation of 12 professional art troupes across the country.
The event gathered more than 1,000 artists, actors, and musicians, bringing 21 plays with diverse themes, vividly reflecting the social life and creative spirit of contemporary Cheo art.
At the closing ceremony, the Organizing Committee awarded Gold Medals to two plays: "Nguyen Van Cu - Tuoi tre dit" (Cham Quan Cheo Theater) and "Thienhenh" (Bac Ninh Cheo Theater).
In addition, 33 individuals won Gold Medals and 65 artists received Silver Medals in the performing and creative categories. Outstanding awards for male and female actors and creative components such as author, director, artistic designer, choreographer, and art director were also awarded at the festival.
The highlight of this year's Festival is the play "Nguyen Van Cu - Tuoi tre dit" by the Army Cheo Theater, directed by People's Artist Tu Long. The work depicts the image of the late General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu through many slides cutting through everyday life and revolution, expressing the steadfast spirit, intelligence and great ideals of the young communist soldier.
With a tight staging, combining traditional and modern elements, the play convinced the art council and the audience, winning the Gold Medal for the creative team.
The Army Cheo Theater also affirmed its position when there were 4 more artists who won individual Gold Medals, including Phung The Quynh (as Nguyen Van Cu), Bui Xuan Nghia (as Mo) in the play "Nguyen Van Cu - Tuoi tre lai); Hoang Trong The (as Vo Van Kiet) and Meritorious Artist Ngo Thi Thanh Tuyet (as Luong Cam) in the play "Nung nguoi den den den".
According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong, the 2025 National Cheo Festival is an opportunity to look back at the process of mobilizing and innovating Cheo art. Through each play, it can be seen the efforts of exploration and creativity of artists in harmoniously combining tradition and modernity, aiming at contemporary audiences while still preserving national identity.
The festival is not only an activity to honor art but also an opportunity to discover, nurture young talents and evaluate the development status of Cheo in the context of integration and digital transformation.
