The spouses of the Vietnamese and German Presidents pose for a photo with artists at the theatre (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Phan Thi Thanh Tam, the spouse of President Vo Van Thuong and Elke Büdenbender, the spouse of the German President enjoyed a traditional water puppetry performance at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district on January 23 afternoon.
The two ladies immersed themselves in a diverse array of performances featuring iconic characters, dynamic dragon dances, and serene depictions of rural life.
Water puppetry, originating in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam, finds its inspiration in the region's hot and humid climate and abundant water bodies. The natural aquatic stages, such as ponds and lakes in nearly every village, serve as platforms for water puppet performances, predominantly featuring scenes reflecting rural landscapes, bamboo trees, and traditional activities like fishing and rice cultivation.
Expressing their admiration for the performance and the talent of the artists who immersed themselves in water to manipulate the puppets, both ladies extended heartfelt wishes to the artists, encouraging them to sustain their passion for the art and preserve the distinctive essence of Vietnamese water puppetry.
To gain a deeper understanding of the art and the work of the artists, the two ladies visited behind-the-scenes area and talked with the artists, officials and staff of the theatre./.
