On the morning of September 30, within the framework of the 2023 Con Son - Kiep Bac autumn festival, a unique water puppetry performance took place at Kiep Bac lake area, attracting a large number of people and tourists to watch.
The program, performed by artisans from the Hong Phong water puppetry troupe (Ninh Giang), includes 12 traditional water puppetry acts, reflecting the daily life, farming practices with rudimentary tools, and the culture and beliefs of the people of the Red River Delta.
The water puppetry performance program at the Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival 2023 will take place over 3 days (from September 30 to October 2). This year, the water puppetry performance area has been moved to a location close to the sacred path leading to Kiep Bac Temple, making it convenient for visitors to watch.
To prepare for the performance program serving the Con Son - Kiep Bac autumn festival in 2023, a week before, representatives of the Hong Phong water puppetry troupe had to go to the field to survey and contact the Con Son - Kiep Bac relic management board to drain some of the water in the lake. The artists in the water puppetry troupe were present at Kiep Bac temple from the morning of September 29 to install the water pavilion and carry out preparations.
The Hong Phong Water Puppetry Troupe has 16 members, including 6 musicians, 8 actors, 1 stage director, and 1 general director. Among them, 84-year-old artist Dang Van Phu has performed many times at the Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival. This year, despite his advanced age, with his passion and love for traditional art, he still traveled here to bring the audience special performances.