Unlike the performance stilts by movement, the performance stilts by competition brought the audience suspense and attraction due to the performance mode, impacts, and pressure to find the winner.
Artist Frédéric GILON – Namur stilt troupe shared, “We are overjoyed to reach Hue to perform. Thanks for the love and warm welcome of tourists and people here.”
Could you share your and the artists’ feelings on your visit to Hue to perform and serve the public?
This is the first time we have reached Hue - a beautiful city located in the middle of Vietnam. We were impressed by this city, a wonderland, and we were heartily welcomed. The art of stilts especially enjoyed a warm welcome from the Hue people.
Upon performance, we were deeply touched and excited by the way the Hue people expressed their affection. Everywhere people cheered and clapped. Some followed our troupe from the starting point to the end of the journey. Many people from both sides of the street ran out to shake hands… How marvelous!
What is the difference between performance stilts and competition ones, sir?
Unlike stilts that only move and perform, our stilt troupe also performs but by competition.
To say a little more, our Namur City is like Hue City, whose river flows through the city and is often flooded. To live and adapt 600 years ago, people created stilts. And when walking in water, people use stilts not only to perform but also to see it as a game by using their shoulders and feet to support each other.
Our city has the ancient quarter and the suburban zone. We split into two teams to compete. One team uses black and yellow stilts, and the other uses red and white ones. In terms of traditional costumes, both are the same with red and white colors. After hearing the signal, the participants try to "knock down" the other team's opponent using various tricks such as shoulder push, elbow push, and so on. The goal is to "knock down" all the opponents. Once pushed to the ground, an athlete cannot return to his stilts.
    |
 |
| Stilt artists performing their competition skills on the street of Hue |
To move on stilts skillfully, how long does an artist usually undergo training, and with which important skills?
Each of us has our job and enters the art of stilts with passion, seeing it as a sport. To walk on stilts only needs practice for a few hours, but to master stilts methodically, professionally and to compete can take up to several years. Of course, it also relies on the ability and gift of each person.
Aside from reaching Hue for the performance, did you and the troupe members also spend time visiting and experiencing many craft villages on this occasion?
Besides participating as a performer, during Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2023, we had the opportunity to do some sightseeing. We visited the Hue heritage system, the cultural spaces of traditional craft villages disposed along the banks of the romantic Perfume River… There we met a lot of artisans from the craft villages, thereby understanding more about the culture of Hue in particular and Vietnam in general.
To say something more about heritage, we set great store by your conservation. We also realize the continuation of training and orientation for young people in the story of heritage conservation.
If invited back to Hue to perform, will your stilt troupe be willing?
Of course. We will be ready to be back. In our parlance, we will “sign with both hands” to be performed.
Honestly, although we performed in many world places, this first performance in Hue is probably one of the most beautiful and impressive memories for us.
Namur stilt art of Belgium was inscribed on UNESCO's list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in late 2021. Today, Namur stilt troupe artists gave performances in many places worldwide through various channels, possibly through the path of cooperation between Namur and the cities, or through invitations.
For this visit to Hue, the troupe received the previous invitation from the Chairman of the Hue City People's Committee. When asked if Hue desired to form a similar troupe of stilts, to his amazement, artist Frédéric GILON said that it was the first time he was posed such a question. He asserted, "With our capabilities, we are ready to support."
By N. Minh