The distinctive features of the art of Hat Kieu singing.
Authorized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Binh province, presented the certificate recognizing the art of Kieu singing as a national intangible cultural heritage in Quang Trach, Tuyen Hoa districts and Ba Don town.
Throughout history, the people of Quang Binh have forged and built a tradition of resilience in the struggle against foreign invaders; diligence, intelligence, and creativity in labor and production; and the preservation of many unique cultural values such as Ca Tru singing, Bai Choi singing, Khoan Le Thuy folk singing, Thuoc Ca Minh Hoa folk singing, Canh Duong lullabies, and one of the most distinctive intangible cultural heritages, preserved through generations, is the folk performance art of Kieu singing.
On the evening of March 21st, the Department of Culture and Sports of Quang Binh province, in coordination with local authorities, organized a ceremony to receive the Certificate of Recognition for the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of the folk performing art of Kieu singing in Quang Trach, Tuyen Hoa districts and Ba Don town (Quang Binh province), and to showcase folk art performances of Kieu singing, Canh Duong lullabies, etc.
From the masterpiece *The Tale of Kieu* by the great poet Nguyen Du, many art forms have emerged, such as reciting *The Tale of Kieu*, composing poems about *The Tale of Kieu*, fortune-telling based on *The Tale of Kieu*, and adapting *The Tale of Kieu*, among others. Of these, the art of singing *The Tale of Kieu* stands out as the most unique and creative. This is a form of folk performance, encompassing singing, acting, and comedic acts. Besides the main characters in *The Tale of Kieu*, the people of Quang Binh have created additional characters to serve as narrators, such as the soldier, the silk merchant, and the clown. Furthermore, the use of symbolic representations of space and time aims to create a sense of transition in the characters' "lives."
Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan hopes that localities will strive to preserve and promote the value of the national intangible cultural heritage of Kieu singing art, linking the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage with tourism development…
The performance of the Tale of Kieu emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. According to some artisans at traditional Tale of Kieu clubs, they witnessed their ancestors performing Tale of Kieu whenever the village held festivals or important ceremonies. The spaces associated with Tale of Kieu performance included village communal houses, cultural centers, private homes, fields, and the entire surrounding area. Currently, the space for Tale of Kieu performance has expanded to schools, clubs, public cultural events, and cultural exchange and performance programs.
It can be affirmed that the Kieu singing tradition holds profound historical value, closely linked to the formation and development of Vietnamese communities in Quang Binh province. This art form was created, preserved, and passed down through generations. For hundreds of years, Kieu singing has been a gathering place for community consciousness, showcasing the beauty of spiritual culture and expressing folk cultural and artistic activities, fostering strong community cohesion. The historical value of Kieu singing is reflected in its performances, storylines, songs, and melodies.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Quang Binh province, presented flowers to congratulate the Kieu singing clubs of various localities.
Mr. Mai Xuan Thanh, Deputy Director of the Quang Binh Department of Culture and Sports, affirmed: "The Tale of Kieu is a precious cultural heritage, containing much scientific material that helps in researching and understanding the development of the spiritual culture of the people of Ba Don town, Tuyen Hoa district, and Quang Trach district in particular, and Quang Binh province in general. The Tale of Kieu expresses the people's aspirations for a prosperous and happy life; for love between couples; and for trust between people. It is a place of harmony and community cohesion, creating closeness and solidarity in daily life."
From the masterpiece *Truyen Kieu* by the great poet Nguyen Du, many forms of folk art have emerged, such as reciting *Truyen Kieu*, composing *Truyen Kieu* poems, fortune-telling based on *Truyen Kieu*, and adapting *Truyen Kieu* verses. Among these, the art of singing *Truyen Kieu* demonstrates the most uniqueness and rich creativity.
Through singing the Tale of Kieu, we can feel and understand the beauty of the customs, traditions, and behavior of the people in their lives. Singing the Tale of Kieu also contributes to preserving traditional cultural values, expressed through performances, melodies, and traditional musical instruments.
Singing the Tale of Kieu is an inseparable cultural activity in the lives of the people. It is an opportunity for people to express their passion for the performances of the Tale of Kieu and forget the difficulties and hardships of daily life. They feel empowered and immersed in the artistic space of the Tale of Kieu, hướng towards humanistic values, thereby gaining more faith in the future, optimism in life, and preserving and promoting the beautiful traditional cultural values of their homeland and country.
Despite enduring many ups and downs and historical changes, the art of Kieu singing still possesses a strong vitality within the community, becoming an important part of the people's cultural life.
The value of heritage needs to be preserved and promoted.
Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of the Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee, shared: "Quang Binh's Kieu singing has a history full of ups and downs. However, with the efforts of many generations of artisans in various localities and the local authorities at all levels, preserving and maintaining the art of Kieu singing has been a long and difficult process. The joint efforts of the whole society in preserving and developing the art of Kieu singing are essential to ensure that this unique cultural feature endures forever."
Local authorities need to strengthen the dissemination and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage of Kieu singing, aiming to raise awareness among officials and the public about their role and responsibility in protecting and promoting the values of this heritage. Every citizen should be both a participant in protecting and a beneficiary of the values of this traditional cultural heritage.
Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan , Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Binh Province
To maximize the value of this heritage, we need to strengthen state management, promote the dissemination and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage of the Kieu singing tradition, and raise awareness among officials and the public about their roles and responsibilities in protecting and promoting its values. Each citizen should be both a participant in protecting and a beneficiary of the values of this traditional cultural heritage.
Cảnh Dương lullabies are also a unique form of folk art in the coastal village of Cảnh Dương, almost exclusively sung by men. These lullabies originate from the practical realities of the fishermen's labor and production, and are rich in coastal culture, utilizing many local dialects.
Along with that, it is necessary to organize training for the next generation at the Kieu singing clubs, with a focus on improving the quality of young trainees through maintaining the regular activities of the clubs. Kieu singing performances must be integrated into social activities, contributing to the dissemination of traditional cultural values of the homeland and the country. Promoting the socialization of activities to preserve and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage, linking the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage with tourism development… Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan expressed his wish.
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