Why do artists hold a ceremony to worship their ancestors?

Every year in the middle of the 8th lunar month, large and small stages across the country light up to perform the ceremony to pay respect to the founder of the theater profession. This activity has received the attention and follow-up of a large audience nationwide.

Who is the stage master?

For a long time, there have been many legends about the founder of the theater profession. The most popular legend is the story of two young princes who were passionate about watching theater.

According to screenwriter Chu Thom, there are many legends about the anniversary of the founder of the Vietnamese theater industry. One of the most popular legends is that there was a king who was barren in terms of children, but when he was old, he gave birth to two handsome princes after a long time of praying to God and Buddha.

The two princes loved singing and were not interested in government affairs. They passed away on the 12th day of the 8th lunar month, while hiding from their father to watch a play. Their souls remained on the stage, protecting those who followed the singing profession. The day of their death was considered by the artist community as the anniversary of their profession's founder.

What day is the death anniversary of the theater profession?

In fact, up to now, there has been no document or research that confirms with certainty who the founder of the theater profession is and why artists choose the 12th day of the 8th lunar month every year as the anniversary of the founder of the theater profession.

However, screenwriter Chu Thom believes that commemorating the death anniversary of the theater profession is a beautiful trait of an artist:"They remember their predecessors, remember the anniversary of their ancestors' death, respectfully offer sacrifices, and hope for the ancestors' protection. This shows that they respect their work, desire to contribute, and assert themselves in their profession. That is something very precious.

Moreover, the anniversary of the death of the Ancestor is also an opportunity for them to look back at themselves, see what they have done in the past year, how much progress they have made, and how they compare to other colleagues, thereby becoming more determined in their careers."

He emphasized:"A big or small ceremony is not the only factor that shows respect. The most important thing is still the artist's heart. They always turn to their profession with respect and a desire to contribute, then they will certainly reap sweet fruits."

Therefore, the act of worshipping the ancestors of the theater profession in the middle of the 8th lunar month has become a beautiful spiritual feature, showing respect and admiration for the profession of artists.

In 2011, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 13/QD-TTg to make the 12th day of the 8th lunar month Vietnam Theater Day. Since then, the theater profession's death anniversary has been formalized and solemnly celebrated throughout the country.

Not only stage artists but also those working in other performing arts such as movies, music, MCs... respectfully attended the death anniversary of the stage profession.