When folk songs ignite faith

QTO - Although their eyes can no longer see the light, the members of the Le Thuy District Blind Club (temporary name after merger) still passionately listen to and hum along to the melodies of the traditional folk songs. Their deep love for their homeland's folk songs has never diminished, guiding them through the feelings of inferiority, hardship, and struggle of making a living, and fostering greater love and faith in the future.

These days, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Ly, Head of the Le Thuy Folk Song Club, is busy with training sessions with members of the Le Thuy Blind People's Club. Soon, the club will participate in the "Songs from the Heart" folk art festival organized by the Quang Tri Provincial Association of the Blind, so performances of traditional folk songs are essential.

Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Ly said that she has been associated with the Association of the Blind of Le Thuy District (formerly) for a long time, because it's not just during festivals and performances, but whenever they have free time, the members of the association are passionate about folk singing and participate in activities together like "brothers and sisters in one family".

Le Thuy folk singers guide visually impaired members in practicing and preparing for the "Songs from the Heart" mass performance - Photo: Provided by the artist.

Nearly 10 years ago, the Association of the Blind in Le Thuy District (formerly) maintained a Le Thuy folk singing club, bringing together members who shared the same plight and passion for folk singing. Each meeting was simple and modest, yet filled with love and affection. With the support of artists from the Le Thuy Folk Singing Artists Club, the members practiced each verse and melody, pointing out which verses were good and which needed further practice. In this way, those who could not see continued to support each other through each day with the folk songs and melodies of their homeland.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, head of the Le Thuy area's Club for the Blind, said that while learning music is not easy for sighted people, it is even more difficult for the blind. While the melodies can be memorized and learned quickly, the lyrics take a long time to memorize and practice because the blind cannot see the written word. Therefore, they can only try to memorize them by heart and practice repeatedly. With perseverance and patience, the members have diligently tried to learn each folk song, from the "mai xap" to the "mai nen" style.

According to Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Ly, although blind, the members are very diligent and determined to pursue their passion for Le Thuy folk singing. Teaching folk singing to the blind is very difficult, but the artists of the Le Thuy Folk Singing Artists Club do not give up, but constantly encourage and motivate blind members to persevere in learning each verse and melody. "Hands-on guidance," "shaping each word and phrase," "persevering in practice"... are the "secrets" to learning folk singing for the members.

Currently, the club's performing arts group has more than 10 members, but only about 5-6 members practice regularly. Due to transportation difficulties, whenever the artists can arrange time to practice, the members come to the headquarters of the Blind People's Club in Le Thuy area for 2-3 days or longer to practice folk singing.

The Le Thuy Folk Song Artists Club strives to pass on the heritage of their ancestors - Photo: M. Nhan

Ms. Nguyen Thi Sau (born in 1956), residing in Truong Phu commune, said she had loved folk singing for a long time, but it wasn't until 10 years ago that she joined the folk singing club of the Le Thuy (formerly) Association of the Blind, and that's how she became involved with it. Living alone, with her children far away, she always asks someone to drive her to practice sessions and rarely misses a single one.

“Because I am passionate about folk singing, no matter how far away it is, I want to come and learn, practice, and hone my performance skills. Thanks to folk singing, my life has become more colorful, more joyful, and has given me more motivation in the years to come. I very much hope to continue with my passion and have the opportunity to pass on my love of folk singing to the next generation,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Sau shared emotionally.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy shared that, after the merger of the communes, the organizational structure of the local blind association is still unstable, so it is temporarily operating under the name of the Le Thuy Area Blind Club. In the future, when the association's structure is fully developed, she hopes that cultural and artistic activities in general, and Le Thuy folk singing in particular, will receive more attention and focus from the local government, organizations, associations, businesses, and philanthropists.

Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Ly also agrees with that wish. The artist said that having worked with the blind in Le Thuy for a long time, she understands their thoughts and aspirations and hopes for more support and assistance so that the blind in her hometown can pursue their passion for traditional culture and arts. The more people who love and learn folk singing, the more opportunities there are for the preservation and promotion of the homeland's heritage. Therefore, the Le Thuy Folk Singing Artists Club always strives to pass on this "treasure" of their ancestors.

According to Nguyen The Hung, Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial Association of the Blind, the Association plans to organize the 7th "Songs from the Heart" amateur art performance in 2026. The performance will create a forum for officials and members to exchange experiences in organizing cultural activities in the locality; improve the spiritual life and help members confidently integrate into the community. Through this, it will identify and nurture talented individuals in the arts to form the core of the local movement, contributing to career guidance for members with artistic abilities. At the same time, it will spread the image of visually impaired people as dynamic, confident, and full of willpower and determination to the community.

Mai Nhan

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/202606/khiho-khoanthap-sang-niem-tin-7f50f98/