Learning to sing Quan Ho - a meaningful summer activity for children

Every summer, in addition to recreational activities, many Bac Ninh children choose to participate in Quan Ho folk singing classes in the locality. This not only provides them with a healthy and useful playground but also contributes to fostering and spreading the love of the young generation for their homeland's cultural heritage.

Many children participate in free Quan Ho folk singing class at Chu Mau area (Van Duong ward).

Taking place from June 1 to 14, the Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk song singing class for children organized by the Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Theater attracted 160 children aged 6-15. These are all talented children who love traditional arts from clubs and art troupes in the province. Participating in the class, students are taught some typical Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs with old and new lyrics (lyrics set according to Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs); introduced some anecdotes and legends about the origin of Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs; instructed and staged some performances... Through the class, the aim is to create conditions for children to access, experience and love Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs; thereby forming pride, love for the homeland, love for national culture and awareness of continuing the heritage. At the same time, discover talented children with passion for Quan Ho folk songs to continue nurturing and creating a young resource to inherit and serve the work of preserving and developing traditional arts in the future.

This summer, at the Chu Mau Cultural House, Van Duong Ward (Bac Ninh City), every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., the familiar sounds of Quan Ho folk songs resound in the singing class organized by the Chu Mau Youth Union. Not only is it bustling, joyful, and enthusiastically practicing Quan Ho folk songs, but the children's faces also show joy and comfort when participating in the performances after stressful days of studying. Participating in the free Quan Ho folk song singing class, local children are not only taught Quan Ho folk songs with old and new lyrics by artists of the Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Theater, but also receive many fun activities organized by teachers and Youth Union members to help them unite and become more confident.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dan, Secretary of the Chu Mau Ward Youth Union, said: “This is the second year that the Chu Mau Ward Youth Union has organized a free Quan Ho singing class for children every summer vacation. This is one of the useful summer activities with the desire to teach and inspire children with smooth Quan Ho melodies, imbued with the colors of their homeland. Up to now, after just over 10 days of organization, the free Quan Ho class in Chu Mau Ward has attracted 54 children aged 5 to 14 to participate. Many children, who were shy and timid when participating in the class, have now become bold and confident on stage, performing in harmony with their friends. Notably, not only children in Chu Mau Ward, but also many children in other neighboring Wards have come to study. This proves that the free Quan Ho singing class has truly brought children a useful and healthy living space during the summer.”

Quan Ho singing class in Thuong village (Canh Hung commune, Tien Du district) attracts children of all ages to participate.

Nguyen Hoai Anh, Chu Mau area shared: “Every evening, I am very eager to prepare dinner early to be on time for the Quan Ho singing class. Here, the artists guide me through ancient Quan Ho songs that are easy to learn, easy to remember, and easy to sing such as: Ly Cay Da, Long Lanh, Lung Lieng, Buon Bac Buon Dau, Tuong Phung Tuong Ngo… and meticulously correct each sentence. Through that, it helps me understand and love more the Quan Ho melodies of my homeland.”

Unlike many provinces and cities in the country, Bac Ninh is proud to carry within itself the Quan Ho Folk Song Heritage, which is increasingly being spread and taught widely in the community by generations in many forms to different subjects and ages. During each summer, along with many playgrounds to help children have a fun, safe and useful summer vacation, teaching and learning Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs is one of the activities actively coordinated by the Youth Union at all levels, schools and Quan Ho villages. At the beginning of the summer vacation, there are many Quan Ho singing classes for teenagers and children opened by the Youth Union in coordination with Quan Ho artisans in Bac Ninh city (Thi Cau ward, Hoa Long, Van An, Suoi Hoa, Van Duong); in Tien Du district (Hoan Son, Canh Huong, Noi Due, Lo Bao communes, Lim town), Yen Phong district, Thuan Thanh town... Here, the children are guided by artisans to learn to sing Quan Ho melodies, taught performance skills and learn about Quan Ho costumes and culture, participate in folk games, exchange and make friends...

When art forms, subjects, and playgrounds flourish, singing classes and Quan Ho teaching classes for teenagers and children make villages and neighborhoods more bustling during the summer. There, children not only have a useful and healthy space to study and play, away from social evils, but also contribute significantly to nurturing and transmitting the love for Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs, gradually creating a large successor team.

N.Hoa

Source: https://baobacninh.vn/hoc-hat-quan-ho-hoat-ong-y-nghia-dip-he-cho-thanh-thieu-nhi-97757.html