Xoan singing comes from Phu Tho province. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) –Xoan singing and Bai choi singing, two forms ofVietnamese folk music, are among 35 cultural heritages applying to be added tothe UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The applications will be considered at the 12th session of theIntergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible CulturalHeritage which opened in the Republic of Korea on December 4.
Xoan singing comes from the northern province of Phu Tho, and is practiced infront of communal halls at spring festivals. It is said to have appeared about4,000 years ago, during the time of legendary Hung Kings.
Singing events were organised not only to honour the founders of the nation andentertain villagers, but also to pray for good weather and harvests and depictdaily life in rural areas.
UNESCO listed xoan singing as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritagein need of urgent protection in 2011. At that time, there were 13 xoan singingclubs with nearly 300 members. To date, the number rises to 33 clubs across theprovince.
In 2013, Phu Tho province prepared a 165 billion VND (7.85 million USD)project, entitled “Maintaining and Developing Intangible Cultural Heritage ofHumanity- Xoan Singing in Phu Tho”, funded by the Government.
Two years later, Vietnam submitted a report to the UNESCO stating that xoansinging saw a revival thanks to the great efforts made by the Government andlocal people.
Meanwhile, Bai choi singing is a folk art form that originated in the southcentral region of Vietnam. It is popular in Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, BinhDinh, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa.
Bai choi is often seen at local spring festivals and resembles a game, usingplaying cards and village huts. The bai choi songs are about festivals, dailylife and work and are accompanied by musical instruments.
The Vietnam National Academy of Music joined hands with southern centrallocalities to prepare an application dossier which was submitted to the UNESCOin March, 2016 to seek recognition.
The UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanitywill be announced on December 7.-VNA
VNA
