Preserving the soul of the countryside in the new rhythm of life

In 2018, the Lien Son Folk Song and Cheo Club was officially established, originating from the harmony in the souls of those who have spent their lives working in the fields but whose hearts always hum with songs. Initially, there were only a few dozen middle-aged and elderly members, but now the club has grown to 34 members, including students. Many families with two generations participate, creating a cultural living space that is both cozy and sustainable.

Mr. Pham Van Tinh, Vice Chairman of the Club shared: “We mainly study by ourselves, but thanks to the guidance of the local cultural center, everyone has made rapid progress. Excerpts from ancient Cheo plays such as Tam Cam, Luu Binh - Duong Le... take months to learn, but the more difficult it is, the more we love it.”

In the club, the oldest are Mr. Dinh Quang Chi (85 years old) and his wife, Mrs. Hoang Thi Sua (79 years old). Having been involved in cultural arts for more than half a century, Mrs. Sua is always proud: "The love for Cheo has seeped into my blood, so even though I am old, I still feel indebted to Cheo and my homeland." Their two children also followed in their footsteps, contributing their voices to Lien Son Cheo performances, proving the persistence of the family tradition.

The beautiful image is also present in the girl Le Dieu Linh (16 years old), who has joined the club since she was 12 years old. After school, she practices ancient Cheo with her grandmother. For Linh, Cheo is the lyrics, the "soul of Vietnamese culture", which connects her to her homeland and family.

Despite the rain and wind, every club meeting was still full. Everyone arrived on time, with their traditional Vietnamese dress, scarves, drums, and props carefully prepared. They learned to sing together, practiced playing instruments, shared how to sing and pronounce words, and most of all, shared the joy of life. The club also actively participated in performing in festivals and events, big and small, both locally and outside the province. Their singing voices, raised in the village hall and at festivals, carried the soul of the land and the people of Gia Hung.

The existence and development of Lien Son Cheo Club is not only an effort to preserve a traditional art form, but also a testament to the enduring vitality of village culture. Cheo here is a bridge connecting generations, a special “school” for the young to understand their roots, for the elderly to share their memories, and for the community to become more connected.

In a poor village, amidst the hustle and bustle of making a living, the sound of Lien Son drums still echoes, reminding us that: Traditional culture will never be lost if there are hands to preserve it, hearts to fuel it, and the whole community to join hands.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/gin-giu-hon-que-giua-nhip-song-moi-162492.html