Doan Lien Huong and her classmates eagerly awaited their upcomingJapanese class, a special lesson that is learned by watching a classicJapanese opera instead of reading textbooks.
"It was the most interesting lesson we have had," said Huong, a 16-year-old student of Hanoi's Kim Lien high school.
"We enjoyed the music, performances and learned new words; our attention was completely absorbed."
The lesson, in which Japanese singers performed scenes from a famousopera, is part of an exchange between opera singers from Yokohama MinatoMirai Hall, the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and high schoolstudents.
The Classical Music and Arts Society ofJapan worked together with the two cities' governments to introduce theclassic opera Bamboo Princess to the Vietnamese public, according toKyoko Mimura, president of the society.
Besidesperforming scenes from the opera for the students of Kim Lien and VietDuc high schools, they did some language exchange activities withstudents who are learning Japanese.
"I know thatVietnam and Japan have cooperated in many projects to promote cultureand strengthen their relationship, but this is the first time we haveinteracted closely with the students, they will be the generation tostrengthen our future friendship," Mimura said.
"Wetry to engage with them as more of a cultural exchange," she said, "Theyenjoy the performance as more than an audience, they also learnJapanese at the same time through music, story and the opera's scriptwhich we printed for them."
"As they are studyingJapanese, this is an opportunity for them to approach the Japaneselanguage and culture in a very inspirational way," she said.
Daisuke Ohyama from Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall said he's happy toperform at schools and talk with students. He often does similar eventsin Japanese schools because of a government policy, however this is thefirst time for him in Vietnam.
"The culturalexchange creates an opportunity for students to approach differentcultures, to learn and experience what they can't get from textbooks,"he said.
"If I have the chance to come to Vietnamagain to perform in front of students, disabled or ethnic people whodon't have the chance to enjoy art, I would be more than delighted,"Daisuke said.
Huong said the classroom performance was enjoyable and made her and her fellow students like learning Japanese more.
"Like other young people, I don't like opera much, but this one is very funny and exciting.
"It's also helpful for us that we can understand the whole performancethrough the printed script in its original language," she said.
"The singers are friendly and really cute," she said, "I hopethat there will be more activities like this for us. My friends and Iplan to go to the Opera House to enjoy the whole opera performance."-VNA
"It was the most interesting lesson we have had," said Huong, a 16-year-old student of Hanoi's Kim Lien high school.
"We enjoyed the music, performances and learned new words; our attention was completely absorbed."
The lesson, in which Japanese singers performed scenes from a famousopera, is part of an exchange between opera singers from Yokohama MinatoMirai Hall, the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and high schoolstudents.
The Classical Music and Arts Society ofJapan worked together with the two cities' governments to introduce theclassic opera Bamboo Princess to the Vietnamese public, according toKyoko Mimura, president of the society.
Besidesperforming scenes from the opera for the students of Kim Lien and VietDuc high schools, they did some language exchange activities withstudents who are learning Japanese.
"I know thatVietnam and Japan have cooperated in many projects to promote cultureand strengthen their relationship, but this is the first time we haveinteracted closely with the students, they will be the generation tostrengthen our future friendship," Mimura said.
"Wetry to engage with them as more of a cultural exchange," she said, "Theyenjoy the performance as more than an audience, they also learnJapanese at the same time through music, story and the opera's scriptwhich we printed for them."
"As they are studyingJapanese, this is an opportunity for them to approach the Japaneselanguage and culture in a very inspirational way," she said.
Daisuke Ohyama from Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall said he's happy toperform at schools and talk with students. He often does similar eventsin Japanese schools because of a government policy, however this is thefirst time for him in Vietnam.
"The culturalexchange creates an opportunity for students to approach differentcultures, to learn and experience what they can't get from textbooks,"he said.
"If I have the chance to come to Vietnamagain to perform in front of students, disabled or ethnic people whodon't have the chance to enjoy art, I would be more than delighted,"Daisuke said.
Huong said the classroom performance was enjoyable and made her and her fellow students like learning Japanese more.
"Like other young people, I don't like opera much, but this one is very funny and exciting.
"It's also helpful for us that we can understand the whole performancethrough the printed script in its original language," she said.
"The singers are friendly and really cute," she said, "I hopethat there will be more activities like this for us. My friends and Iplan to go to the Opera House to enjoy the whole opera performance."-VNA
