Nearly 400 artisans, actors, and musicians participate in the Then singing and Tinh lute festival in Bac Ninh province in 2025

Attending the event were representatives of the Provincial People's Council, Fatherland Front Committee; departments, branches, organizations, localities in the province; artisans, actors, musicians and a large audience.

Representatives of the Organizing Committee presented souvenir flags to the delegations participating in the Festival.

In his opening speech, Mr. Truong Quang Hai, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Head of the Festival Organizing Committee, emphasized: Then singing and Tinh lute are unique art forms, containing folk knowledge, spiritual life and cultural identity of the Tay and Nung ethnic communities.

In the resounding sound of the zither, in the profound Then lyrics is the desire for a peaceful and prosperous life, the belief in people and nature, and the transmission of good humanistic and moral values passed down through many generations.

Competition performance of Bien Dong commune.

Over the past years, with the close attention and direction of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, Provincial People's Committee, and professional guidance from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism , the work of collecting, preserving and promoting the art of Then singing and Tinh lute in the province has had positive changes. Many Then singing and Tinh lute clubs have been established in localities where ethnic minorities live; many artisans have devoted themselves to teaching the younger generation, contributing to preserving the Tinh lute and Then lyrics in today's life.

The festival aims to honor the heritage values recognized by UNESCO, encourage the movement to preserve and pass on art in contemporary life; at the same time, create a playground for exchange and learning for artisans, actors, and musicians, contributing to promoting the movement "All people unite to build a cultural life".

Contest of Luc Ngan commune.

The Festival is attended by nearly 400 artisans, actors, and musicians from 12 art troupes from communes and wards in the province. Each troupe brings an art program of maximum duration of 30 minutes, with 4-5 performances of ancient Then melodies, modified Then melodies, solo and ensemble Tinh lute, illustrative dances, and excerpts reenacting Then rituals.

The content vividly reflects the spiritual life of ethnic people, praising the glorious Party, beloved Uncle Ho, the homeland, the people of Bac Ninh ; expressing the spirit of solidarity, creativity, and aspiration to rise up in the cause of innovation, integration and development.

Immediately after the opening ceremony, the audience enjoyed the performances of 3 communes: Luc Ngan, Bien Dong and Son Hai. Many performances were elaborately staged, exploiting traditional Tay - Nung folk songs, combined with typical props and costumes, creating an attractive artistic space.

Highlights include the ancient and new Then melodies performed clearly and emotionally; along with the graceful and rhythmic Tinh lute ensemble receiving enthusiastic cheers from the audience. The stage atmosphere was bustling, with many unique performances leaving a deep impression such as: “Returning to Bac Ninh, the homeland of Noong”, “Joyful Then worship”; excerpts from “The ritual of “Welcoming the general”; “The words of the Tinh lute”, “Con mai cung dan Then”…

On November 27, the Festival continues with the competitions and will close in the afternoon. The Organizing Committee will award the entire group: 1 First Prize, 3 Second Prizes, 8 Third Prizes. At the same time, 60 A, B, C prizes will be awarded to performances, groups and individuals; 12 prizes for solo singing, solo dancing, and solo recitals; 2 prizes will be awarded to the oldest and youngest participating artists.

The festival is an opportunity for artisans to exchange experiences, contributing to maintaining the vitality of heritage in today's life; promoting the image of Tay and Nung people, opening up a direction for exploiting traditional art in developing cultural tourism.

This is also a practical activity of implementing Project 6 on preserving the culture of ethnic minorities under the National Target Program for the period 2021 - 2025, at the same time concretizing Vietnam's commitment to protecting and promoting the representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity "Then practice of the Tay, Nung, Thai people".

Le Thanh

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/gan-400-nghe-nhan-dien-vien-nhac-cong-tham-gia-lien-hoan-hat-then-dan-tinh-tinh-bac-ninh-nam-2025-postid431870.bbg