Khanh Khe preserves the soul of folk songs in the geopark region.

The folk song festival at the Khánh Khê market contributes to preserving the cultural identity within the UNESCO Global Geopark of Lạng Sơn.

Preserving the spirit of folk songs at the market fair.

On May 28th, Khanh Khe commune organized the Traditional Folk Song Festival at the Market Fair (12th day of the 4th lunar month), attracting thousands of local people and tourists from many neighboring provinces.

The festival is held in the Dan Lai rocky area, within the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark, a region famous for its pristine natural landscapes and characteristic limestone mountain ranges of the Northeast.

The melodies of then, sli, and luon resonate, creating an atmosphere rich in cultural identity at the traditional folk song festival at Khanh Khe commune's market. Photo: Hoang Nghia.

For many years, the festival has become a familiar cultural activity for the local people. The melodies of then, sli, luon, phong slu, lullabies, etc., continue to resonate in the atmosphere of the highland market, creating a unique character for Khanh Khe.

According to Mr. To Quang Trung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Khanh Khe commune, the festival was organized to preserve the then, sli, and luon folk songs and promote the traditional cultural values ​​of the locality.

Mr. Trung stated that the locality has identified cultural preservation as being linked to tourism promotion and socio-economic development. Therefore, the commune continues to focus on developing Then singing clubs and folk dance clubs to serve cultural exchange activities and showcase the local image.

Children participate in folk song performances, contributing to the continuation and spread of local traditional cultural identity. Photo: Hoang Nghia.

Currently, many clubs specializing in Then, Sli, and Luon folk singing in the area still maintain regular activities, attracting a large number of participants. Not only elderly artisans, but many young people are also beginning to show more interest in traditional folk melodies.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, the folk songs of then, sli, and luon are still preserved by the people of Khanh Khe as a part of their community's cultural memory.

The joyful sounds of love songs fill the air.

From early morning, the festive atmosphere was vibrant with singing, music, and gatherings between folk music clubs from both within and outside the local area.

During the cultural exchange program at the market fair, artisans from various folk song clubs in the province, along with amateur performing arts groups in Khanh Khe commune, performed many unique then, sli, luon, chau dances, and folk dances.

Besides cultural performances, this year's festival also featured competitions in pounding sticky rice cakes and roasting pigs among clusters of agencies, units, and schools in the commune. Many traditional folk games such as blindfolded duck catching and walking across a bamboo bridge also attracted a large number of locals and tourists to participate and experience.

Then folk singers perform amidst the rocky landscape of Dan Lai, within the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark. Photo: Hoang Nghia.

Ms. Hoang Thi Dang, a Nung ethnic woman from Thien Thuat commune, shared that every year she comes to Khanh Khe to meet friends and participate in folk song exchanges.

"It's so nice to be here, the scenery is beautiful, and everyone is so enthusiastic. I've already sung and interacted with the crowd several times, and I'm still thrilled. Next year, if nothing changes, I'll continue to come here," said Mrs. Dang.

The festival not only attracted long-time folk music lovers, but also received enthusiastic participation from many teachers, young people, and tourists.

Teacher Vi Thu Hiep from Dong Giap Primary and Secondary School in Khanh Khe commune said that what impressed her most was the warm, lively atmosphere and the simple folk songs that reflected the local identity.

"Immersed in the festive atmosphere, I feel very proud of my hometown's traditions and national cultural identity," Ms. Hiep shared.

The vibrant colors of traditional costumes and folk dance performances added a highlight to the festival. Photo: Hoang Nghia.

According to Ms. Hiep, the festival not only contributes to promoting the beautiful scenery of Khanh Khe but also helps young people understand more about traditional culture. As a teacher, she always hopes to preserve folk melodies and instill a love of folk music in her students so that the cultural values ​​of her homeland continue to be preserved for many generations.

Integrating culture with tourism development.

Beyond being just a cultural exchange event, the traditional folk song festival at the market fair is also expected by the local community to become an annual cultural and tourism highlight.

According to Mr. To Quang Trung, the festival always attracts a large number of people from the commune, neighboring localities, and many folk song clubs from Bac Ninh, Cao Bang, and Thai Nguyen. This is also a favorable condition for the locality to promote its image and develop community tourism products in the future.

Organizing the festival at the Dan Lai rocky area, within the UNESCO Lang Son Global Geopark, also contributes to introducing the natural landscape, local culture, and tourism potential of the locality to visitors.

The platter of colorful sticky rice cakes and roasted pork contributed to the unique culinary culture at the festival. Photo: Hoang Nghia.

Over the years, Khanh Khe commune has maintained many activities aimed at preserving traditional cultural values, such as developing clubs for singing then, sli, luon, and folk songs and dances; and organizing cultural exchanges between villages and neighboring localities.

Amidst the vast, unspoiled landscape of the ancient Dan Lai rock formations, the melodies of then, sli, and luon folk songs still resonate, adding to the cultural tapestry of the UNESCO Global Geopark of Lang Son.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/khanh-khe-giu-hon-dan-ca-vung-cong-vien-dia-chat-d813665.html