In the pulsing glow of strobe lights with electronic beats, the twang of a “dan bau” (monochord) pierces the air. A young audience member, swept up in the fusion of ancient and modern sounds, found tears streaming down her face as a classical “tuong” (classical drama) performance unfolded. What seemed like two incompatible artistic worlds has been masterfully woven together by Entropy, who define how cultural heritage lives in contemporary society.
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Veteran artists combine "tuong" with modern music. (Photo: Entropy team) |
Entropy emerged from the creative minds of young Vietnamese who dreamed of building a nocturnal cultural ecosystem where traditional arts, electronic music, and contemporary visual art forms could coexist and transform into completely new experiences. “Ai Long Dia” was then launched in 2024, expressing love for the nation as its name - Love for Dragon Land - suggests, and for the cultural heritage that has nurtured Vietnamese souls for generations.
According to project initiator Tran Khanh Linh, bringing heritage into bars and clubs aims to create a space for it to live. If tradition still has vitality, it must thrive amidst real experiences, she elaborated. Each performance is crafted like a serious artistic project, where modern electronic music acts as the catalyst, while traditional elements remain the core.
Since its debut, “Ai Long Dia” has been staged three times, each exploring different aspects of traditional Vietnamese culture. The inaugural show honored the “dan bau,” an iconic symbol of Vietnamese music. Subsequent shows explored the Central Highlands’ UNESCO-recognized gong culture, and most recently, “tuong.”
Meritorious Artist Tran Van Long from the Vietnam Tuong Theater said that “tuong” has been delivered to the audience in a completely new way. For years, this classical music and art have been confined to theater stages, associated with specific audience generations. However, with “Ai Long Dia,” traditional art isn't outdated, but it seeks out a new way to connect with young people.
International visitors at the shows, despite being unfamiliar with "tuong" lyrics, were still captivated by its expressions. James, a tourist from the U.K., said he had learned about “tuong” as a distinctive traditional Vietnamese theater form. However, the real experience exceeded his expectations. He described this as an effective way to bring Vietnamese culture closer to international audiences.
Entropy is planning to expand “Ai Long Dia” into other traditional art forms, from cheo (traditional opera) and “xam” (blind buskers’ singing) to “cai luong” (reformed opera) and ethnic folk performance. It hopes “Ai Long Dia” will reach wider international audiences, providing them with a new story of Vietnam through cultural encounters.
The project demonstrates that when given space, respect, and access through the "language of their generation," young people will welcome the musical tradition and revive culture in creative and responsible ways.
Source: VNA