Director Dang Le Minh Tri: Hanoi Light Symphony to create a true artistic space for people

TRUE ARTISTIC SPACE FOR PEOPLE

Q: The theme of the Hanoi Light Symphony – Welcoming the New Year 2025 is “Shine your vibes”. Could you share the meaning behind this theme?

A: “Shine your vibes”,simply put, means "radiate your uniqueness". This is also the approach our team hopes to take to encourage all people to express their individuality and unique personality.

With the inspiration of “Shine” and “Vibes” (energy, spirit), the programme’s theme conveys a message that everyone possesses a unique essence and a source of positive energy. Through this event, we can spread that individuality, blending it to create shared value as we welcome the start of a promising new year in 2025.

The event will take place in an open space, showcasing unique musical personalities to create a shared sense of elevation for both the audience and the artists. This concert also marks the inauguration of the annual Hanoi International Light Festival, held at the start of the New Year. The programme aims to emphasise the distinctive qualities of the performance space, participating artists, and audience, crafting a seamless artistic journey. This allows all attendees to shine in their unique way.

Q: So, how will the audience of the Light Symphony be able to shine in their own unique way?

A: First and foremost, the audience must see themselves reflected in the programme. This is perhaps the key difference compared to previous events, as the team has worked to create a space genuinely dedicated to the people, regardless of gender or age. The Light Symphony is open to the public free of charge, providing an opportunity for all people to come and experience art.

Secondly, instead of targeting a specific group of customers for commercial purposes, we aim to reach a broader audience. As a result, the programme has been meticulously designed to appeal to various groups of people. This presents a significant challenge for the organisers. During the symphony, the audience will enjoy a blend of classical music, contemporary folk music, and modern tunes. When the music begins, everyone can find a piece of themselves in it.

Q: It seems that achieving this would place immense pressure on the production team, wouldn’t it?

A:That's right. When we received the task, the pressure on the production team was immense. However, this programme will be organised in collaboration with the Hanoi People's Committee, we all clearly define that the Light Symphony must be a concert for the people. The heart and soul must come first.

For this edition, we hope to create an open door for the public to experience. Based on this, the organising committee will listen to and gather feedback from the people to continue evolving and exploring new directions for future editions.

To best serve the people, the organising committee has carefully prepared detailed logistical plans, such as setting up signage to help people easily access information, arranging parking areas, and mobilising volunteers for assistance. Most notably, the programme will be open completely free of charge to the public.

The stars to perform at the Light Symphony – Welcoming 2025.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MUSIC PARTY IN THE OPEN SPACE OF WEST LAKE

Q: Held at the end of the year, when many other major music events are also taking place, what will be the difference between the Light Symphony – Welcoming 2025?

A: As I mentioned above, the first difference is that this is a concert by the people and for the people. Additionally, this is the opening programme for the Hanoi International Light Festival, so the event will also feature four core pillars that run throughout the theme including Light – Music – Technology – Heritage.

Regarding Light, the upcoming symphony will use the best lighting technologies available today on stage, with a highlight being the Drone lighting performance.

As for Music, the programme will feature a seamless blend of classical, contemporary folk and modern elements. The stage will showcase many generations of artists, from seasoned veterans to young talents. In terms of Technology, all elements related to lighting and the drone show are pre-programmed with timecodes, ensuring optimal performance.

As for heritage, it can be said that this is the inspiration and material throughout the entire programme. The chosen venue is located at the intersection of Lac Long Quan and Nguyen Hoang Ton streets, right behind West Lake – a special heritage of Hanoi closely linked to the consciousness of the capital's audience.

Moreover, by attending the Light Symphony, the public will discover many surprises and "cultural codes" hidden in each performance, where the heritage materials of Hanoi will be explored to the fullest. These could be paintings of the thousand-year-old capital city, or the Hang Trong paintings displayed on visuals to illustrate a modern song. Surely, the audience will have a truly unique experience when attending the Light Symphony – Welcoming 2025.

Q: It seems that there is a connecting thread being "woven" by him and the production team in each performance of the Light Symphony.

A: The programme will include a classical musical piece titled “Nho ve Hanoi” (Remembering Hanoi). The visual aspect of the piece features paintings by a young 14-year-old artist from Hanoi. You might not have heard of him, but his paintings are incredibly beautiful and soulful. It’s a perspective from a Hanoi native about his own city.

Perhaps all classics start from the simplest things. "Remembering Hanoi" is about recalling the simple things around us. We want to create a flow that connects generations through love for this land and its people in this way, regardless of age, gender, or generation.

Director Dang Le Minh Tri shares that at the Light Symphony, the audience will be treated to a spectacular musical feast.

Q: Speaking of heritage, I still believe that heritage or the sense of history is a concept... that varies depending on each individual, isn’t it?

A: This is also an issue that we have pondered deeply. To truly understand history is certainly not something a single programme can fully accomplish. Here, we aim to present pieces for the audience to enjoy most fittingly. The musical works, from the beginning to the end, will be newly arranged and guided in a way that allows everyone to experience them in their own unique way (vibes). The core idea is that, through this programme, we want to ignite love and national pride through music, light, and technology.

WELCOMING 2025 BY 2025 DRONES IN THE NIGHT SKY OF HANOI

Q: Is it a fact that, alongside the elements of music and heritage, many people are looking forward to the drone lighting performance as an unmissable highlight of the symphony?

A: First of all, it must be emphasised that drone lighting performances are not entirely new in Vietnam. However, I believe that the upcoming show will be impressive and distinct for the public.

Specifically, at the very beginning, the drones creating an image of the 15-metre-long dragon will appear right above the stage to kick off the concert. Then, 2,025 drones will take flight to play alongside the symphony orchestra. The audience will not only get to admire the light display but also listen to exquisite music. Notably, the drone system will also shift according to the melodies. This is incredibly challenging and few events dare to attempt it due to its complexity, especially when it comes to "programming" a symphony orchestra outdoors. Therefore, we have had to plan meticulously, and we hope the concert will be a complete success.

Q: So, what is the biggest message that you and the team want to convey to the Hanoians on this occasion?

A: Over the past month, the entire team has been working tirelessly. Through the Light Symphony – Welcoming 2025, we hope that this will be a celebration to open the year 2025, a place where we can all truly shine and affirm our own uniqueness, thus creating even greater things.

Thank you very much!