Lesson 2: Steadfastly Preserving Xoan Singing

Over the years, the conservation of Phu Tho Xoan singing has been implemented systematically and scientifically, from the historical sites and original Xoan singing villages to the school system. Behind these achievements is the joint effort of artisans, local authorities, and the education sector – those who are daily "keeping the flame alive" for the heritage, transforming Xoan singing from a heritage in need of urgent protection into a Representative Heritage of Humanity.

Preserving and promoting the representative cultural heritage of humanity.

The Xoan singing artisans were awarded Certificates of Commendation by the Provincial People's Committee for their outstanding achievements in the preservation and promotion of the Xoan singing heritage of Phu Tho province , during the period 2020 - 2025.

The "keepers of the flame" at the village communal house.

The foundation of the revival of Xoan singing lies in the perseverance of the community and artisans in the four original Xoan singing wards: An Thai, Thet, Kim Dai, and Phu Duc. These are the historical cradles where ancient Xoan melodies have been nurtured and passed down through centuries.

At Dinh Thet – one of the four original Xoan folk singing groups – the lights have been on every weekend evening in recent years. The group's artisans maintain a regular teaching schedule for the younger generation. Ms. Bui Thi Kieu Nga, the head of the Xoan Thet group, shared: “To preserve and develop this unique cultural value, for many years, with the attention of the Party committee, the government, and political and social organizations in the locality, the Xoan Thet group has preserved and promoted it through concrete actions. Right from the time the Xoan group was established, we developed a specific program and plan of activities to organize teaching and training; coordinating implementation throughout the Xoan group, its members, and schools in the area.”

In the context of integration, preserving and transmitting Xoan singing is an extremely urgent task. The motto of the Xoan singing troupe is: Preserving the original artistic values ​​and ritual customs; actively teaching the younger generation, introducing Xoan singing into schools and communities; improving the quality of heritage performances and combining preservation and tourism development, transforming Xoan singing into a unique cultural product.

Over the years, the Xoan singing groups have encouraged generations within families and communities to learn Xoan singing and become members of the group. On average, each year, the Xoan Thét group has over 100 members from various organizations and students participating in regular activities. In particular, there are two weekly training sessions for aspiring artists and the community, and they regularly teach Xoan singing to students and people who love the art form in the area during the summer.

Members of the Xoan singing group actively participate in teaching Xoan singing classes organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Department of Education and Training; they also teach through children's programs and television channels of Phu Tho Newspaper and Radio and Television; and they perform for domestic and foreign tourists visiting and experiencing historical sites.

To ensure the continuity of transmission, Phu Tho province has organized 14 training classes for original Xoan folk singers, and opened classes for successor artists - the "young Xoan seeds" of Kim Duc and Phuong Lau. This preparation is a key factor for the sustainable development of the heritage in the future.

The government is working together to protect heritage spaces.

The Provincial People's Committee issued Decision 2410/QD-UBND on September 11, 2020, promulgating the Project for preserving and promoting the value of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, Phu Tho Xoan singing, for the period 2020-2025. Preserving Xoan singing is not only about preserving the melodies but also about protecting the performance space – where the heritage was born and nurtured. Ms. Vu Thi Thu Hang, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Phu Ward (where four original Xoan singing wards converge), said: “Preserving Xoan singing is not just about preserving a heritage, but about preserving a part of the soul of the nation, a connecting thread between the present and the roots... The heritage space is the ‘cradle’ of Xoan. We always prioritize the restoration of communal houses and temples, preserving the landscape, and restoring the custom of water-bonding rituals so that people have a place to practice the heritage in a solemn and proper manner.”

During the period 2020-2025, all original Xoan singing villages received substantial investment for their facilities. Thet Temple, An Thai Temple, Kim Dai Temple, Lai Len Shrine, etc., have become exemplary preservation sites. In addition, localities have organized over 100 Xoan singing performances and activities at these historical sites, closely linked to traditional festivals, thereby promoting and spreading the value of this heritage.

The success of Xoan singing preservation efforts is strongly recognized through the model of integrating the heritage into the education system. The Department of Education and Training has closely coordinated with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to include Xoan singing in both the main curriculum and extracurricular activities. Mr. Nguyen Quang Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training, affirmed: “Incorporating Xoan singing into schools not only helps students understand the heritage but also fosters a love for national culture. Each classroom becomes a small performance space, allowing Xoan singing to liven up and spread naturally.”

Schools in Phu Tho, especially in Van Phu ward (where the original Xoan singing tradition is located), have collaborated to invite artisans to teach singing directly and established Xoan singing and folk song clubs within schools. Integrating Xoan singing with festivals and folk games has created an attractive cultural playground for students. This model is considered the most effective solution for educating the younger generation about heritage values ​​and ensuring sustainability.

In particular, Phu Tho province has continuously improved its mechanisms and policies to honor and support heritage custodians, such as: awarding the title of artisan, the province has bestowed the title upon 86 Phu Tho Xoan singing artisans. Individuals awarded the title of Phu Tho Xoan singing artisan receive a certificate of recognition and commendation, along with three times the basic salary. Four original Xoan singing wards receive financial support of 55 million VND/ward/year to purchase facilities and equipment. Attention has also been paid to developing clubs, supporting the establishment of 7 new Phu Tho Xoan singing and folk song clubs, bringing the total number of provincial-level clubs to 37 with 1,251 members.

These achievements are a testament to the involvement of the entire political system, the close coordination between departments and agencies, and the active participation of the heritage-owning community and artisans. Xoan singing is not only a "living human treasure" but also a driving force for local socio-economic development.

Source: https://baophutho.vn/bai-2-ben-bi-gin-giu-hat-xoan-244277.htm