Preserving the spirit of folk songs in the rhythm of modern life.

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- Beyond caring for their families, women in Lang Son are also the keepers of the flame for traditional folk songs. From the melodious then chants and the resonant sounds of the zither to the smooth sli and luon dances echoing through the mountains and forests, they silently transmit and spread the unique cultural values ​​of the ethnic groups in the province.

Ms. Duong Thi Ngoc Nga is a member of the Women's Association in Tan Son village, Bac Son commune. Regularly every weekend, the sounds of the zither blend with the sweet melodies of the then folk songs in her small house. A few neighbors and young children gather to listen and then try to sing along. The cozy family space transforms into a simple yet passionate "classroom" for folk songs. Sharing her passion, Ms. Nga said: "I grew up listening to the then melodies my mother sang every evening. When I got married and had children, I still kept the habit of singing then lullabies to my children. Now, every weekend, I dedicate time to teaching my children and grandchildren to sing, telling them the meaning of each melody so that they will love and cherish the traditional folk songs of our people even more."

Women's association members from Chi Lang commune perform folk songs at the Quy Mon Quan Temple festival.

Not only does she sing within her family, but she also participates in the community tourism performing arts group of the commune and performs at festivals and national unity events. For her, preserving folk songs is first and foremost about preserving the language and cultural traditions within her own home.

Lang Son is famous for its rich treasury of folk songs of the Tay, Nung, and Dao ethnic groups. The melodies of then, sli, luon, pao dung, etc., are not only forms of artistic expression but are also closely linked to rituals, customs, and the spiritual life of the community. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Van, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Lang Son province and President of the Provincial Women's Union, said: The Union currently has over 175,300 members, a large force playing an important role in preserving grassroots culture because most women are both practitioners and transmitters of folk songs within their families and communities. In recent times, women's unions at all levels have intensified propaganda about the value of folk songs; coordinated with the cultural sector to open training courses and teach then, sli, luon; and encouraged the establishment of folk song clubs at the grassroots level. This contributes to preserving national cultural identity, strengthening member cohesion, building a healthy cultural life in residential areas, and fostering prosperous and happy families.

The work of promoting and preserving folk songs by women's associations at all levels in the province has been carried out synchronously, flexibly, and closely at the grassroots level. The preservation of then, sli, and luon melodies is integrated into branch and group activities, disseminated through the radio system and community gatherings; and coordinated with the cultural sector to organize training courses and teaching to improve members' practical skills. A highlight of this approach is the promotion of women's leading role, as they are both directly preserving and teaching folk songs within their families and communities. As a result, members' awareness of traditional cultural values ​​has been increasingly enhanced, and folk songs are gradually becoming a familiar part of daily life.

Besides propaganda work, women's associations at all levels in the province have also actively mobilized and coordinated the establishment and maintenance of folk song clubs, attracting a large number of members. These clubs are not only places for cultural activities, exchange, and learning, but also environments for practicing and teaching traditional melodies in a systematic and regular manner.

To date, the province has over 600 cultural and artistic clubs (mainly clubs for singing Then folk songs and playing the Tinh lute) with more than 2,000 members (an increase of over 500 clubs compared to 2022), of which about 90% are women. The development in both the quantity and quality of activities of these clubs shows the enduring vitality of folk songs in the community, and at the same time, affirms the core role of women in preserving and spreading national cultural identity at the grassroots level.

Notably, many members have been creatively and flexibly bringing folk songs to the internet in various forms such as short clips, performance videos , and live streams, opening up new approaches that align with the trend of digital transformation. Ms. To Thi Son, from Block 19, Dong Kinh Ward, said: "Initially, I only occasionally recorded clips of singing Then songs to keep as memories and posted them on my personal Facebook page. Later, I saw many people watching and commenting enthusiastically about this type of folk music, so I actively uploaded and shared them. I believe that if we know how to utilize technology, folk songs will spread more widely, reaching a wider audience, especially young people and those who love traditional culture in many different regions."

It is evident that, from every home to the community, from traditional stages to the online space, women in Lang Son are persistently "keeping the flame" of folk songs alive through many creative methods. They not only preserve the cultural memories of their ancestors but also proactively adapt to the times so that the melodies of then, sli, luon, etc., continue to resonate.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/giu-hon-dan-ca-trong-nhip-song-moi-5080086.html