"Untold Stories": The 15th Expanded Literature Faculty Drama Night - How Young People Preserve the Quintessence of National Culture

  Organized annually by the Youth Union and Student Association of the Faculty of Literature, this year's event brought together 10 competing teams from various faculties within the university, including Literature, Oriental Studies, Tourism Studies, and International Studies. It also attracted participation from contestants from the University of Science (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) and Hanoi Pedagogical University, with 5 teams advancing to the final round. With scripts adapted from folk tales, each performance by the teams was a creative effort to approach traditional literary treasures through a contemporary lens, reflecting the new thinking of the younger generation in retelling ancient stories in a way never before told, in the spirit of bringing literature closer to the stage and the stage closer to the hearts of the audience.
In particular, the return of cultural researcher Nguyen Hung Vi – who founded the first Faculty of Literature Drama Night in 2009 – as the Head of the Judging Panel this year brings a journey full of emotion. From the person who laid the foundation for a student playground with the hope of creating many memories for them, 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 simple, sincere ideals of the beginning and the new forms of expression today. Cultural researcher Nguyen Hung Vi – the founder of the first Faculty of Literature Drama Night in 2009 – served as the Head of the Judging Panel. From laying the foundation for a student playground with the hope of creating many memorable experiences for them, to witnessing the growth, transformation, and spread of the Drama Night, Mr. Vi appeared to observe and listen to "untold stories" from the new generation, as a symbol of connection between generations – between the simple, sincere ideals of the beginning and the new forms of expression today.
The judging panel also included prestigious experts such as Professor and 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 Film Project to the Faculty of Literature); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Cam Giang – Head of the Department of Art Studies, expert in the field of film research.
It's impossible not to mention the contribution of the Youth Theatre – one of the closest partners to the Drama Night. From the early days with the participation of veteran artists such as People's Artist Le Khanh, Meritorious Artist Duc Khue, and Meritorious Artist Sy Tien, to the present day, the next generation of artists such as Master of Arts - Meritorious Artist Nguyet Hang, director Dao Duy Anh, and artist Thu Quynh on the judging panel have continued to inspire and bring the Drama Night stage closer to contemporary life. These professional artists have provided students not only encouragement but also genuine and vibrant professional inspiration.
A special highlight of this year's Drama Night is the gathering of students from the Film and Popular Arts major – a new major within the Faculty of Literature. In the performances, viewers can easily recognize fresh staging approaches, diverse theatrical language, and modern storytelling styles that are still deeply imbued with literary and humanistic spirit. This is the result of a process of learning, experimentation, and dedication – where theory and practice find common ground. As Associate Professor Hoang Cam Giang remarked after watching the play "Once Upon a Time in Binnorie," "Impressions alone are not enough to describe the emotions." Not only did faculty, students, and artists participate, the Faculty of Literature's Drama Night also marked the partnership of generations of alumni with the Final Round, acting as sponsors and providing inspiration to the students. Names like Nguyen Minh Duc (K32, Editor-in-Chief of Hanoi Moi Newspaper), Nguyen Van Ba ​​(K32, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnamnet Newspaper), Hoang Manh Ha (K34, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Agriculture and Environment Newspaper), Trinh Xuan Quang (K34, Communications Director of Geleximco Group), Lai Ba Ha (K36, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Hanoi Moi Newspaper), Vu Duy Hung (K36, Deputy Head of the Electronic Department of Nhan Dan Newspaper), Cu Xuan Truong (K36, Head of the International Department - Hanoi Moi Newspaper), Pham Dinh Hai (K37, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Thoi Dai Newspaper), Khuc Thi Hoa Phuong (K39, Director - Editor-in-Chief of Women's Publishing House), Nguyen Anh Vu (K41, Editor-in-Chief of Van Hoa Newspaper), Nguyen Quang Hung (K43, Deputy Head of the Special Topics Department - Nhan Dan Newspaper), Vu Khac Son (K43, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Football Magazine),… are vivid evidence of the strong continuity between generations. The inspiring spirit of previous generations of alumni has been continued by the recent graduates. As a K65 student, Kim Anh, immediately after graduating, provided meaningful support to the student movement she had just grown up in. The alumni not only placed their trust in her but also provided moral support and other resources, giving the Drama Night a stronger foundation and momentum, making it more professional, well-organized, and inspiring.
In terms of organization, this year, the professionalism of the competing teams was a standout feature. The drama night was not only an opportunity for the teams to perform but also a place for experimentation and creative expression. Using familiar folk materials, the students "dismantled" the old structures to build new, unique versions, sometimes controversial, but always opening up new perspectives.
After the dramatic rounds of competition, the judging panel selected the names worthy of honor:
- The first prize was awarded to the "Sweet and Spicy" team (Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), with their play "The Beauty of Betel Leaves - The Purity of the Heart". - The second prize was awarded to the team "K69 Cinema and Popular Arts + Film Club" (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), with the play "Once Upon a Time in Binnorie".