Spreading folk songs to everyone.

+ On VOV radio, there's a very unique program named after an individual working at the station. It's called "Eight Mai Van Lang - Eight Stories of Folk Songs," and it's now renamed "Folk Song Dialogue." Could you share more information about the program for our readers?

- I am extremely happy because, as the VOV leadership said, in its 78 years of establishment (this year is preparing for its 79th anniversary), it's the first time we've had a program named after a person. The program's name, "Eight Mai Van Lang - Eight Stories of Folk Songs," wasn't my idea; it was suggested by VOV Deputy General Director Pham Manh Hung to the Music Department to develop this program.

Why "Eight" and not "Chat"? Many listeners have asked this, and I've answered it before. People in the South often say "eight stories" rather than "chatting," which sounds a bit effeminate and not very serious. I used "Eight stories" to make it different, but after receiving feedback from listeners, I changed it to "Folk Song Dialogue." This program has a very tight structure, with Mai Văn Lạng practically in charge of it.

The program consists of two main parts: a dialogue with the host, consisting of 1-2 members from the Folk Music Department who ask questions, with Mai Van Lang answering on social issues, mainly related to traditional music; and a dialogue between Mai Van Lang and the listeners. I have a private phone number, 0961349068, which listeners can call every Wednesday from 3 PM to 4 PM. Callers can ask any question related to national culture, arts, and folk music .

I will listen to listeners' questions and answers, then quote those answers and broadcast them on television as a dialogue with listeners. Following that is news and events related to folk music and traditional music that Mai Văn Lạng has visited and encountered. In particular, in the section where listeners ask questions via letter about folk music (for example, wanting to ask about artist A, artist B..., genre A, genre B of Chèo, Cải lương...), Mai Văn Lạng will provide more in-depth answers to serve the listeners.

Playwright Mai Văn Lạng. Photo: Provided by the author.

Another very engaging part is the quiz. Mai Van Lang answers quizzes such as questions about a folk song, a folk singer, or a traditional musical instrument... We are very happy that the program has been on air since January 1, 2022, and has been running for two and a half years now. The program has received positive feedback from viewers, colleagues, friends, and many people have offered very detailed suggestions, which has helped the program gain more and more popularity.

What makes "Eight Mai Van Lang - Eight Folk Song Stories" special is that it's an unscripted program; the entire content consists of very natural dialogues between Mai Van Lang and the editor or between Mai Van Lang and the listeners. During the process of conducting these dialogues with the audience, you must have encountered some difficult situations, right?

- When we produced the program "Eight Mai Van Lang - Eight Stories of Folk Songs" and now "Folk Song Dialogue," we didn't have a script at all. I wanted the knowledge I've gained over 30 years of dedication to folk songs and Cheo (traditional Vietnamese opera) to be unleashed, and indeed, a lot of it was unleashed. Many listeners asked very good questions, and I tried my best to answer them using the knowledge I had accumulated. For example, some listeners asked about Thuy Kieu, whether Cheo Tau (Chinese Cheo) is the same as Cheo from China, or why Cheo hasn't been recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity...

To be honest, I'm fortunate that from a young age, I've tried to accumulate knowledge by reading books, listening to opinions from friends and older generations... and this program is very suitable for what I have. Folk music is my love, so I can answer listeners' questions relatively easily.

My expectation is to help listeners understand and appreciate folk music more, to learn more about different cultural regions, artists, artisans, and art forms. Because of this, my own knowledge has gradually improved, and the listeners' knowledge of folk music has also increased.

+ "Eight Mai Van Lang" is very unique and special, but it's also a program that's not easy to produce. What's the secret to making such a captivating program, sir?

- Indeed, this is a challenging but interesting program. There are many questions from listeners that I find very difficult to answer, sometimes even to the point of being unable to answer and asking for my number so I can gather more knowledge before answering. Don't think that listeners lack knowledge; many are very knowledgeable, even PhDs, journalists, and educators call to ask me questions as if they were listeners. Therefore, during the process of interacting with listeners, I also have many questions to answer. There are also many cases where listeners come up with challenging questions, trying to twist Mai Van Lang's words. For example, a listener asked why, when it says "Folk Songs and Traditional Music," only folk songs are played and not the music itself... These are very interesting aspects of my profession.

To create an engaging program, I think the most important secret is understanding the audience, understanding what they need and want. To understand, you must first put yourself in the listener's shoes to know how to ask and answer questions in a way that satisfies them. I often listen to my VOV colleagues' conversations, read articles from colleagues around the world, and especially always listen to listeners and read their letters. Recently, I've been reading emails, and now I read through the social media platforms I use. I have a relatively good understanding of what listeners ask and what their wishes are.

I also traveled extensively to gain knowledge. Therefore, I understand the audience's psychology, so when they ask questions, I can answer almost everything. I also choose to speak in a simple, down-to-earth way, avoiding sophisticated language, flowery words, or veiled language, but speaking sincerely, from the heart to the heart.

I speak to my listeners with my heart and love. Just cultivate that love within yourself, and the person you're talking to will surely feel it. I think that's what makes the program more engaging.

Playwright Mai Văn Lạng interviews a Cơ tu ethnic artist during a trip to the Central Highlands. Photo: Provided by the author.

+ Not only are you a journalist and program host on VOV radio, but you're also considered an ambassador connecting and spreading traditional Vietnamese opera (cheo) throughout the country. What do you think of that assessment?

- The title of ambassador sounds great, but I'm just a connector. I connect individuals with Cheo art, the people, and I connect VOV's traditional folk music program with the people. Those two connections are one, one yet two.

This connection is multifaceted. Firstly, as a journalist/reporter, I travel to local areas and rural regions to meet and talk with the people, recording their emotions, singing, playing, and acting styles. Secondly, as a composer, I always write new lyrics, composing Chèo songs and folk songs for the people to sing and connect with. Thirdly, as a researcher, when I visit these rural areas, I meet and learn about Chèo through the villages and the local people. Fourthly, as an event organizer, I interact with the people, and in some programs, I even participate directly and direct them.

On a personal level, I also work in media on social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook… With these five roles, people call me an ambassador because I travel from one rural area to another to spread folk songs to people.

Thank you to author Mai Văn Lạng!

Dinh Trung (Recorded)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/soan-gia-nha-bao-mai-van-lang-lan-toa-dan-ca-cho-moi-nguoi-post300197.html