"The Dream River": Grade 11 tells an emotional story of cultural intersection between traditions and modernity

After more than 4 months of dedicated studies and an experiential trip in Binh Dinh, the interdisciplinary project "Choices and Acculturation" of the 11th-grade bilingual program concluded with the showcase of the musical drama "The Dream River" on the morning of April 12th. The performance brought forth strong emotions and reflections on the intersection and acculturation between traditional culture and modern culture, as well as the choices individuals make in their times.

Reversing the flow of time back to the 1930s-1945 of the 20th century, "The Dream River" tells the story of Nhân - a young man passionate about modern music, eager for innovation and creativity. However, his passions clash sharply with the staunch opposition from his father - a talented traditional Tuồng artist, who always cherishes and preserves the traditional art. To resolve the conflict between two generations, the musical drama highlights the importance of love and understanding when Nhân is determined to revive the fading Tuồng theater and his father ultimately accepts his son's passion, realizing that preserving traditional culture must go hand in hand with innovation and creativity. 

Not relying on any pre-existing scripts, the talented playwrights, actors, musicians, and singers of the 11th grade have painted a vivid picture of the Vietnamese context during the period of cultural intersection between France and Vietnam. Their creativity and talent go beyond expectations; most of the songs performed in this musical are composed and orchestrated by the Olympians of grade-11 themselves.

Moved by the performance, Mrs. Nguyen Le Thuy - the representative of the parents of the 11th grade - expressed pride in witnessing the efforts of her children to achieve today's successful performance. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy - Head of Vietnamese Language and Literature Department - also expressed admiration for the talent, creativity, and spirit of overcoming challenges to conquer the pre-war music genre and turning it into a remarkable product of Grade 11 Olympians. 

"For us, 'The Dream River' is a milestone marking maturity, a memory that we will surely always be proud of," said the representative of the 11th grade group - Olympian Le Thi Cam Tu - the overall director of the musical.

Closing the months of dedicated study and project work, the musical "The Dream River" has opened up a profoundly humane story about the preservation and promotion of the national cultural identity in the new era. The performance also contributes to enriching the diverse and truly remarkable educational tapestry of Olympia.