WORDS ON THE STREET 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
Home / Arts & Entertainment / Entertainment
Vietnamese contemporary ballet celebrates Europe Day
Ngo Minh 17:35, 2024/04/24
The ballet is a combination of European classical music and Vietnamese cultural nuances expressed through contemporary ballet language.

To celebrate Europe Day (May 9), the European Union (EU) Delegation to Vietnam is organizing a special contemporary ballet to the music of Vivaldi's legendary Four Seasons.

The ballet Do (Poohnah) will be performed at the Hanoi Opera House on the evening of May 10.

The ballet, choreographed by Phan Luong and Vu Ngoc Khai, is a fusion of European classical music and imageries and stories from Vietnamese culture, expressed through the artistic language of contemporary ballet. The program also conveys a sense of movement, flexibility, newness and convergence - core values of the European Union.

The ballet is a combination of Vietnamese cultural identities and European music. Photo courtesy of the EU Delegation.

According to EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier, Europe Day is the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration for European unity, where the common roof - Europe - provides peace, prosperity and freedom for people.

"This day is also an opportunity for us to commemorate past achievements, but also to look ahead to how we can shape our European future together and inspire the partnerships we forge beyond Europe's borders," he said.

"In this sense, cultural exchanges such as the Ballet Do unite us by giving a common sense, beyond aid, trade or politics, to the essence of the beauty of art. We want to promote the unique and refined music of the European continent and the growing artistic talent in Vietnam that we have witnessed in recent years. And we are proud to demonstrate this cultural cooperation between the EU and Vietnam and to cherish it in this unique ballet," added Ambassador Julien Guerrier.

The music in the artwork serves as a link between the past and present of European classical music, introducing Vietnamese audiences to Vivaldi's legendary Four Seasons, remastered by renowned composer Max Richter.

The music will be performed live by the Do Orchestra, which is made up of artists from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, the Sun Symphony Orchestra and the Vietnam National Opera and Theatre, conducted by Dong Quang Vinh.

Written in 1723, the timeless Four Seasons paints vivid countryside scenes while conjuring up a world of sounds depicting natural phenomena and human life. Through the artistic inputs of Phan Luong and Vu Ngoc Khai, the dances and movements of the piece form an emotive response to the music of the Four Seasons, depicting a diverse range of soulful expressions of the symphony of life.

Winter is not only a conversation with the world of nature but also an inner journey in search of meaning and purpose, while autumn reflects moments of tranquillity under a wide open sky.

Summer revolves around the most wondrous and eventful years in one’s life, through weather systems, perturbation, and tranquillity alike.

The ballet ends where seasons begin – Spring, when all things bloom, are reborn, with all worries left behind, and nature and humans coming together in harmony.

RELATED NEWS
TAG: Hanoi news Vietnam news EU ballet Hanoi Opera House
Other news
17:23, 2024/11/20
Hang Ma Street gears up for festive season
Locals look forward to the holiday season, and Hanoi's Old Quarter is a hive of activity as Christmas preparations get underway.
14:00, 2024/11/19
Vietnam hosts International Piano Competition
The Vietnam International Piano Competition & Festival aims to become one of the most prestigious piano competitions and cultural events in the country.
19:02, 2024/11/18
Vietnamese national costumes are making a comeback
The "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" or "Parade of Flowers" is a celebration of the Vietnamese national attire, showing young people's love and pride for the nation's cultural heritage.
22:11, 2024/11/12
7th Hanoi International Film Festival concludes with grand finale
The annual film event has once again cemented Vietnam's position as a destination for global cross-cultural interaction, demonstrating the power of film to transcend cultural boundaries.
10:51, 2024/11/12
Hanoi: A must-visit for solo travelers
Hanoi's vibrant energy and hustle and bustle of year-end festivals create a dynamic atmosphere that makes it an ideal destination for solo travellers, offering a sense of connection amidst the hectic pace of the city.
15:54, 2024/11/11
Opening of international piano competition in Vietnam
The goal of the first-ever Vietnam International Piano Competition and Festival is to establish itself as one of the country's most prominent piano contests and cultural events.