The Da Nang education and training sector has always strived to integrate culture and art into the school curriculum, contributing to nurturing students' love of art and culture, helping them be proud of their national cultural heritage.

The Phan Chau Trinh High School coordinated with the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theater to organise two Tuong art performances on April 12 and April 15, 2024, attracting more than 1,200 pupils. Photo: DOAN HAO LUONG

Innovating appropriate teaching programmes

According to Official Dispatch No. 5977/BGDĐT-GDTrH of the Ministry of Education and Training on guiding the implementation of local education content at secondary and high school levels from the 2008 - 2009 school year, local education programmes are required to combine theory with practice, organise field trips to historical sites and hold exchanges with artisans and practice artistic creation.

The goal of cultural and artistic education in Da Nang is to build a generation of pupils who not only have knowledge, but also have a deep love for their homeland, have the ability to appreciate beauty and are responsible for protecting and promoting national cultural heritage.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Trang, the Head of the Literature Group, the Phan Chau Trinh High School said, " Cultural and artistic education at school will arouse emotions, aesthetic thinking and awareness of heritage preservation in each pupil".

In particular, the 2018 general education programme has brought a new direction to cultural and artistic education. The programme emphasises the formation and development of qualities and abilities for pupils through a close combination of theory and practice.

The core of all innovations is still the connection, how to make pupils feel that cultural heritage is not something far away or only in books, actually, it is a part of their flesh and blood, a pride that they need to preserve and promote.

Based on the direction of the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and the guidance of the Da Nang Department of Education and Training, general schools in the city have proactively integrated local cultural education content into the subjects of Literature, History, Fine Arts and Music.

For example, the Literature subject not only introduces famous literary works of the country but also focuses on works bearing the cultural imprint of Da Nang. Pupils learn about legendary stories related to the Marable Mountains, the history of relics such as the Dien Hai Citadel or poetic works highlighting the beauty and characteristics of the people of the central region.

Bringing local cultural heritage into schools

According to the 2018 general education programme, teaching is organised according to major topics, combining interdisciplinary knowledge so that pupils have a comprehensive and in-depth view. The theoretical content of the cultural and artistic education programme is designed to suit each level of education with the goal of helping pupils gradually approach and understand more deeply the city’s cultural heritage.

At the primary level, pupils are introduced to cultural heritage through simple and familiar lessons. Literature and Fine Arts lessons often incorporate stories about traditional festivals such as the Cau Ngu (Fish Worshipping) Festival - a cultural beauty associated with the lives of fishermen in Da Nang.

At the secondary level, the cultural and artistic education content is expanded with more detailed knowledge. Pupils learn about the history and significance of traditional art forms such as ‘tuong’ (classical drama) and ‘bai choi’ singing, a folk music genre practised in Viet Nam’s central region. The Music subject brings pupils into the world of Quang Nam - Da Nang folk songs, helping them not only learn to sing, but also analyze traditional musical elements.

At the high school level, the cultural and artistic education programme becomes more in-depth and research-oriented. The Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theater has become a familiar destination for many classes, where students can watch unique plays with their own eyes, and have artists explain each dance move, makeup, and the profound meaning of each role.

According to The Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theater in the 2016 - 2024 period, tens of thousands of students from primary, secondary and high schools have access to Tuong art through school performances.

The Nguyen Hue Secondary School, Tran Phu High School, Nguyen Khuyen Secondary - High School and Phan Chau Trinh High School has organised many programmes under which pupils not only enjoy but also participate directly in the performances, thereby deeply remembering historical lessons and traditional ethics.

In addition, literary and artistic composition competitions such as a painting competition have promoted pupils’ creativity and pride in their homeland. Hundreds of paintings depicting the city's beautiful landscapes, from the ‘Roong’ Dragon Bridge glowing in the night light to the majestic Marble Mountains, have demonstrated the creativity of the young generation.

Painter Tran Hai, the Vice President of the Da Nang Fine Arts Association, said that fine arts is not only a subject, but also a bridge between students and the creative and cultural world; helping pupils develop creative thinking, aesthetic ability and cultural awareness, prompting them to perceive life through diverse and rich lenses. In addition, fine arts play an important role in shaping personality, nurturing the soul, arousing positive emotions and confidence.

Reporting by DOAN HAO LUONG - Translating by A.THU