"Untold Stories": The 15th Open Drama Night of the Faculty of Literature - How young people preserve the quintessence of national culture

  Organized annually by the Youth Union - Student Association of the Faculty of Literature, this year's event gathered 10 teams from many faculties in the University such as Literature, Oriental Studies, Tourism Studies, International Studies, and also attracted the participation of candidates from the University of Natural Sciences (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), Hanoi National University of Education, of which 5 teams entered the Final Round. With scripts adapted from folk tales, each performance of the drama teams is a creative effort in approaching the treasure trove of traditional literature through a contemporary lens, reflecting the new thinking of the young generation in retelling old stories in an unprecedented way, in the spirit of bringing literature closer to the stage, and bringing the stage closer to the hearts of the audience.
In particular, the return of Cultural Researcher Nguyen Hung Vi - who founded the Faculty of Literature Drama Night for the first time in 2009 - as Head of the Jury this year brought an emotional journey. From the person who laid the foundation for a student playground with the wish that students would have more memories, to the person who witnessed the growth, transformation and spread of the Drama Night, Mr. Vi appeared to follow and listen to "untold stories" from the new generation, as a symbol of connection between generations - between the original rustic and sincere ideals and the new forms of expression today. Cultural researcher Nguyen Hung Vi – who founded the first Faculty of Literature Drama Night in 2009 – is the Head of the Jury. From the person who laid the foundation for a student playground with the hope that students would have more memories, to the person who witnessed the growth, transformation and spread of the Drama Night, Mr. Vi appeared to follow and listen to “untold stories” from the new generation, as a symbol of connection between generations – between the original rustic and sincere ideals and the new forms of expression today.
The Jury also had the participation of prestigious experts such as Teacher - Translator Tran Hinh (Former Deputy Head of the Faculty of Literature; Head of the Department of Art Studies (Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi; French literature expert, one of the people who connected and brought the Ford Foundation and the Cinema Project to the Faculty of Literature); Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Cam Giang - Head of the Department of Art Studies, expert in the field of cinema research.
It is impossible not to mention the imprint of the Youth Theater - one of the closely associated partners of the Drama Night. From the early days with the participation of veteran artists such as People's Artist Le Khanh, Meritorious Artist Duc Khue, Meritorious Artist Sy Tien, up to now, the next generation of artists such as Master - Meritorious Artist Nguyet Hang, director Dao Duy Anh, artist Thu Quynh in the position of the Jury have continued to inspire and bring the Drama Night stage closer to the contemporary breath. It is they - professional artists - who have brought to the students not only encouragement, but also genuine and vivid career inspiration.
A special highlight of this Drama Night season is the gathering of students from the Film and Popular Arts Department - a new major of the Faculty of Literature. In the plays, viewers can easily see the new staging thinking, diverse stage language, and modern storytelling but still imbued with the spirit of literature and humanity. It is the result of a process of learning, experimenting and committing - where theory and practice find a point of contact. As Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Cam Giang commented after watching the play "Once upon a time, in Binnorie", "Impression is not enough to describe the emotion". Not only with the participation of lecturers, students and artists, the Faculty of Literature Drama Night also marked the companionship with the Final Round night of generations of alumni in the role of sponsors and energizers for students. Names such as Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc (K32, Editor-in-Chief of Hanoi Moi newspaper), Mr. Nguyen Van Ba ​​(K32, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnamnet newspaper), Mr. Hoang Manh Ha (K34, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Agriculture and Environment newspaper), Mr. Trinh Xuan Quang (K34, Communications Director of Geleximco Group), Mr. Lai Ba Ha (K36, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Hanoi Moi newspaper), Mr. Vu Duy Hung (K36, Deputy Head of Electronic Department of Nhan Dan newspaper), Mr. Cu Xuan Truong (K36, Head of International Department - Hanoi Moi newspaper), Mr. Pham Dinh Hai (K37, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Thoi Dai newspaper), Ms. Khuc Thi Hoa Phuong (K39, Director - Editor-in-Chief of Women's Publishing House), Mr. Nguyen Anh Vu (K41, Editor-in-Chief of Culture newspaper), Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung (K43, Deputy Head of Special Department - Nhan Dan newspaper), Mr. Vu Khac Son (K43, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Football Magazine),... are living proof of the strong continuity between generations. The spirit of inspiration of generations of veteran alumni has been continued by the students who have just graduated. As a student of K65, right after graduating, Kim Anh also had meaningful support for the student movement that she had just grown up from. The alumni not only sent their trust, but also supported the spirit and many other resources, so that the Drama Night had more support and momentum, becoming more professional, methodical and inspiring.
In terms of organization, this year, the professionalism of the teams was a highlight. The drama night was not only an opportunity for the teams to perform but also a place to experiment and unleash creativity. From familiar folk materials, students "dismantled" the old structure to build new, unique versions, sometimes controversial, but always opening up new perspectives.
After dramatic competitions, the Jury selected the names worthy of honor:
- 01 First Prize belongs to Team "Sweet and Spicy" (University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), with the play "The color of betel - The whiteness of people's hearts". - 01 Second Prize belongs to Team "K69 Cinema and Popular Arts + Cinema Club" (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), with the play "Once upon a time, in Binnorie".