The fifth National Festival of traditional ‘Then’ singing and the ‘dan tinh’ (gourd lute) of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic minority groups officially kicked off in Tuyen Quang City, the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang on September 25.
The festival has drawn the participation of 500 artisans, actors and actresses from 14 provinces and cities that are renowned for ‘Then’ singing, including Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Bac Giang, Quang Ninh, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Dak Lak and Tuyen Quang.
The two-day event features a wide variety of unique performances of ‘Then’ singing, commemorating the history of formation and development of the traditional art form as well as praising the love for labour and for the country.
The fifth National ‘Then’ Singing Festival offers a good opportunity for artisans, actors and actresses of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic minority groups across the country to meet and exchange together as well as introduce the traditional-cultural identities of their localities.
The event also aims to promote the image of the land and people of Viet Nam as well as the cultural and tourism potentials and values, particularly the ‘Then’ art form and ‘dan tinh’ – a traditional stringed musical instrument, to both visitors of the country and international friends.
Additionally, the festival significantly contributes to raising public awareness of preservation and development of ‘Then’ singing as well as serving the cultural and spiritual life of local people.
A range of other cultural and arts activities, including an exhibition on the singing style, the Northwest Agriculture and Trade fair and an international workshop on ‘Preserving and Promoting the values of the art form which is considered as a cultural heritage of Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic minorities.
Tuyen Quang province is home to 64 ‘Then’ singing clubs with nearly 1,000 local participants.
There are two types of ‘Then’ singing: ‘Then ky yen’ (praying for good things) and ‘Then le hoi’ (Then festival). The style is traditionally accompanied by a handmade gourd lute called ‘dan tinh’ – the soul of the music.
Viet Nam, particularly the provinces where the music is also practiced, is compiling a dossier towards seeking UNESCO recognition of the music form as a world intangible cultural heritage of humanity.