Through the changes of history, “The tale of Kieu” by the great poet Nguyen Du remains a shining gem of Vietnamese literature. With more than two centuries of enduring vitality, it is not only a literary masterpiece but also a symbol of national identity and pride. At The Dewey Schools, this classic work has inspired a special project by the 9th-grade TDSers. “A hundred years in one world… The tale of Kieu” reflects the dedication of Dewey students in bringing the story of Kieu from the pages of a book to life, infusing it with the language and spirit of the younger generation.
The 9th-grade TDSers skillfully incorporated questions about the lives and destinies of the characters in “The Tale of Kieu,” and using the traditional rules of six-eight verse, they created booths such as “Guess Kieu,” “Fortune-telling with Kieu,” “Kieu poetry,” “Kieu proverbs,” and more. Each booth was creatively decorated by the students with posters, portraits of characters, and other artistic representations.
Tran Nghia Dung (9Eger) shared: “Spending a month immersed in “The Tale of Kieu” has given us unforgettable experiences. We gained a deeper understanding of the work, retraced the paths of those who came before us, and discovered the hidden meanings behind the verses of Kieu. I was also very happy to use my verbal skills in this project. I was tasked with presenting the “Kieu poetry” booth to teachers and classmates. Using what we’ve learned to compose poetry about Kieu was not only an interesting challenge but also helped me become more confident in expressing my ideas through words.”
Beyond the booths, the spirit of creativity was vividly displayed by TDSers on stage with the play “The tale of Kieu – A life of endless suffering.” Particularly, the segment “Kieu steps forward” surprised the audience with its unique, bold Gen Z twist, portraying the image of a “modern-day Kieu who strays from the path.” TDSers cleverly integrated contemporary social issues such as multi-level marketing and the darker side of live-streamed sales into the modern-day narrative. The time-traveling encounter between Thuy Kieu of the past and the “modern-day Kieu” offered a fresh perspective, while delivering a profound message: the values of The tale of Kieu endure across generations.
From the first rehearsals to the official performance, 9th-grade TDSers worked hard to support each other in perfecting every scene and refining each line of dialogue. The entire hall was silent as it reflected on the footage capturing the students’ passionate rehearsal moments. This journey of collaboration not only deepened their understanding of the work but also left a lasting impression of creativity, unity, passion, and teamwork.
The project “A hundred years in one world… The Tale of Kieu” was not just a literary endeavor but also a tribute to the love for heritage and the limitless creativity of TDSers. Through this approach, the students gained a deeper appreciation of the cultural and historical values of their nation while also confidently carrying those treasures forward, becoming cultural ambassadors of the future. This project stands as a living testament to Dewey’s definition of education: transforming knowledge into a journey of discovery and creativity, allowing each student to fully embrace and master their own learning path.