Artisans from the original Xoan guilds are to perform at cultural relic sites, such as Lai Len shrine, Thet and Kim Dai communal houses (Kim Duc commune), Hung Lo communal house (Hung Lo commune), and An Thai communal house (Phuong Lau commune) in Viet Tri city, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

Xoan singing is traditionally performed during the first two months of the lunar calendar at holy places.

Visitors are introduced to basic information about Xoan singing such as its origin and forms. Furthermore, exhibitions on Xoan singing and Hung Kings worshipping rituals will be held to serve visitors.

Several years ago, Xoan singing was at risk of dying out, yet has been revived in recent years and and spread among the community. Hundreds of children at original Xoan singing guilds like Phu Duc, Kim Doi, Thet, An Thai, and Phuong Lau have been taught this traditional art form.

The UNESCO Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage decided to remove Xoan singing from its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its 12th session in December 2017.

Xoan performances include singing, dancing, and drumming. Closely linked to the worship of the Hung Kings, believed to be the founders of the nation, Xoan singing is traditionally performed during the first two months of the lunar calendar at holy places such as temples, sanctuaries, and communal houses. Tourists will also find value in the worshiping itself as another UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage of the humanity.

There are three forms of Xoan singing: worship singing for the Hung Kings and village guardian spirits; ritual singing for good crops, health, and luck; and festival singing where villagers alternate male and female voices in a form of courtship. So far, 20 out of the 30 cultural spaces for Xoan singing practice have been upgraded. The organisation of traditional festivals in association with Hung Kings worship and Xoan singing has been maintained. In the past, only seven artisans were able to pass down this art form, but now the number has amounted to nearly a hundred.

Phu Tho is now home to 34 Xoan singing clubs at the provincial level, with over 1,500 singers. Xoan singing is also practised at 64 clubs at the district level and 42 others at the communal level.

According to Phung Thi Hoa Le, Director of the provincial Centre for Tourism Promotion, in order to attract international tourists to Phu Tho, especially during the Hung Kings Temple Festival, the province has launched the tourism product of “Xoan singing in an ancient village” along with daily tours.

The centre has coordinated with Viet Tri city to hold Xoan singing performances from 2pm-4pm on a daily basis at Hung Lo communal house and the same time on weekends at Lai Len temple.

Destinations hosting the “Xoan singing in an ancient village” programme have welcomed over 13,000 tourists, including many from the UK, France, the Netherlands, and the US.

Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Dac Thuy said the preservation and promotion of the heritage value of Xoan singing have received special attention from local authorities.

In the coming time, the department will continue consulting the provincial People’s Committee to carry out programmes promoting the heritage value of Xoan singing.

The cultural sector will also make documentaries on Xoan singing and boost the teaching of this art form at schools.

San Diu ethnic group’s folk singing named national intangible cultural heritage

A ceremony was held in Tam Dao district, the northern province of Vinh Phuc on March 20 to receive a certificate recognising Soong Co folk singing by San Diu ethnic group in Lap Thach, Tam Dao and Binh Xuyen districts and Phuc Yen city as a national intangible cultural heritage. 

 

Teaching Cheo and Quan ho folk singing

(BGO) – On  March 19, the Center of Culture and Cinema in Bac Giang province joined hand with the Center of Culture, Information and  Sports in Bac Giang city to organize a training course to teach Cheo and Quan ho folk singing in Phan Son hamlet, Dong Son commune.

 

Continue to honor and preserve Quan ho folk singing

(BGO) – Having founded and sponsored the operation of BAGICO Quan Ho (Love Duet Singing) Club for more than 10 years, Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuc, Chairwoman and Director of BAGICO Joint Stock Company (Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province) wishes to contribute to preserving the precious cultural heritage of the homeland. 

 

ASEAN+3 singing contest 2019 launched

The ASEAN+3 singing contest 2019, the second of its kind, has been officially launched, open to professional pop singers aged 18-35 from 10 Southeast Asian nations with a view to promoting cultural exchanges in the bloc. 

 

Bac Ninh celebrates 10th anniversary of UNESCO recognition of Quan ho singing

Bac Ninh Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Council, Provincial People's Committee and Fatherland Front Committee of Bac Ninh province co-organised the “Ve mien Quan Ho” (Coming to the Quan ho region) programme to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Quan ho (love duet) singing being recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity, in Bac Ninh city, on February 23.

 

Source: VNA