EXPO 2025 welcomes Central Highlands folk music

Among them, the representative of the Central Highlands ethnic music group includes 9 Jrai artists from Gia Lai province. This is an opportunity to promote Vietnamese music in general, and Central Highlands folk music in particular, to many international friends.

EXPO is held every 5 years and is one of the largest global events in the world . EXPO 2025 Osaka takes place continuously from April 13 to October 13 on the artificial island of Yumeshima (Dream Island) in Osaka City, Kansai region, Japan with more than 150 countries and international organizations participating.

As a tradition of EXPO, National Day is for visitors to explore the most complete country through experiencing many activities and special events on a large scale, held throughout the day. Participating in Vietnam National Day (September 9) at EXPO 2025 Osaka, the Vietnamese delegation has many groups of artists from the Vietnam Puppetry Theatre, Vietnam National Academy of Music, Ho Chi Minh City Dance School, Bac Ninh Cheo Theatre, Tay Nguyen ethnic music group... The program is directed by People's Artist Tran Ly Ly with the participation of senior leaders of Vietnam and Japan, leaders of the Ministry of Culture - Sports and Tourism, a number of related ministries, branches and localities.

Meritorious Artisan Ro Cham Tih (Ia Hrung Commune) will bring his unique klek klok to EXPO 2025 Osaka. **Photo: Lam Nguyen**

To prepare for the event, artisans in Gia Lai province have urgently practiced many folk songs and traditional musical instrument performances. Meritorious artisan Ro Cham Tih (Ia Hrung commune) said that he has performed in many countries around the world such as England, Australia, Korea, etc., and everywhere he saw audiences fascinated by the sounds of traditional bamboo musical instruments of the Jrai people.

Affirming this as his strength, he said that this time he will bring to the Land of the Rising Sun many musical instruments that he himself created such as: T'rung, kơ ní, klông pút, ting ning. In particular, the klek klok that he learned and invented himself will also be present with its clear, melodious sound like a murmuring stream. From musical instruments with raw materials, the identity speaks with solo and instrumental ensemble songs such as: Greetings for Solidarity, Warm and Prosperous Villages...

The petite singer with a powerful voice, Ro Mah Mo Ly (Ia Krel commune) also joined the group on this occasion with solo and duet performances of some Jrai folk songs such as Ru em, Loi tan tinh ben suoi. Mo Ly also showed her versatility by singing and playing accompaniment with the whole group. Not too surprised because she had performed in Australia before, this trip continued to be a rare opportunity for the young girl to "export culture" from her village to other countries.

Artist Rcom Bus performs the piece “The boy from Buon De” during the program’s rehearsal on the afternoon of September 4. **Photo: Lam Nguyen**

“I want to promote the cultural beauty of my nation, and at the same time explore and learn more about the customs and cultures of other countries. Therefore, I am looking forward to participating in the Vietnam National Day at the World Expo 2025 Osaka,” Mo Ly excitedly chatted.

In addition to the training, the artists in the delegation were also informed specifically about the main activities of the Vietnam National Day at EXPO 2025 Osaka, including: the official National Day ceremony; art performances within the framework of the official ceremony; parade; Vietnamese Ao Dai fashion show. Along with that, there is a business forum, product display, introduction of Vietnamese enterprises and destinations; water puppetry and dry puppetry performances, traditional Vietnamese music, Vietnamese film screenings, photo exhibitions on tourism and Vietnamese heritage, etc.

Artists perform during the program's rehearsal on the afternoon of September 4. **Photo: Lam Nguyen**

On the afternoon of September 3, at a working session with Gia Lai province's artisans before the important overseas tour, Associate Professor Dr. Ta Quang Dong - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, directed the program, expecting the performances of Gia Lai province's artisans to be "rare", an important highlight of the performance program on Vietnam National Day. "I hope the whole group will practice actively to have the most outstanding performances. The more unique the identity, the more attractive", he emphasized.

Associate Professor Dr. Ta Quang Dong - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism worked with the Gia Lai province artisans delegation on the afternoon of September 3. **Photo: Lam Nguyen**

Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong also suggested that the artists practice a few more Japanese musical works to create an interesting cultural exchange between the two countries. With that enthusiasm, on the afternoon of September 4, at the Dam San Music and Dance Theater, Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong attended the program's rehearsal and gave valuable comments to improve the content and quality of the performances, thereby promoting the value of Central Highlands folk music as well as Vietnamese identity to many international friends.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/expo-2025-chao-don-am-nhac-dan-gian-tay-nguyen-post566110.html