The chanting of folk songs in the schoolyard

Late in the afternoon, the sounds of the zither and folk songs still echoed through the courtyard of Nong Thuong Primary and Secondary School (Bac Kan ward). In a small room at the end of the classroom block, more than a dozen Tay and Dao students attentively practiced each zither note and each folk song under the guidance of folk artist Ha Duc Dinh.

Members of the Then singing and Tinh lute playing club perform in the courtyard of Nong Thuong Primary and Secondary School.

Nong Thuong Primary and Secondary School is a multi-level school with over 400 students, of which more than 90% are from the Tay and Dao ethnic minority groups. Located in a region rich in cultural identity, in recent years the school has focused on building many extracurricular clubs such as ethnic sports , volleyball, sepak takraw, culinary arts, and especially the Then singing and Dan Tinh playing club.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thao, Deputy Principal of Nong Thuong Primary and Secondary School and Head of the Then Singing and Dan Tinh Playing Club, said: "Initially, many students registered to participate, but when the club was officially established, only about 15 students continued to learn. However, the more they learn, the more passionate they become."

That passion is clearly visible in the eyes of Hoang Thi Ngoc, an active member of the club. Ngoc shared that she started learning then singing and zither playing in the 4th grade and is now in the 8th grade. The more she learns, the more she understands the beauty of her people's culture. Every time she performs in the schoolyard or at spring festivals, she feels like she is telling the story of her homeland through the music and the lyrics of then singing.

Perhaps that is also the greatest wish of those dedicated to the club: that students in mountainous regions will not forget the traditional music and folk songs of their ethnic group amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life.

The club not only provides a beneficial playground but also serves as an environment for students to interact, learn, and further appreciate traditional culture. Then and Dan Tinh performances are also frequently presented during local festivals, spring celebrations, cultural programs, and political events.

A major contributor to keeping the club's spirit alive is folk artist Ha Duc Dinh, who has directly taught Then singing and Tinh playing to students since 2021. Artist Ha Duc Dinh shared: "Then singing has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Therefore, everyone needs to take responsibility and work together to preserve and spread it..."

With that in mind, for many years he has diligently taught his students for free. From how to hold the instrument, tune the strings, and play the first notes, to how to develop a sense of pitch, use embellishments, and "breathe life" into songs, he has meticulously taught them everything.

Artisan Ha Duc Dinh, during a session teaching then singing and zither playing to students.

Some students were able to play and sing basic then melodies on their own after just one week. The then songs selected for teaching were all relatable to the students' age group: praising their homeland, teachers, love of work, and the spirit of learning. As a result, the lessons were always lively and engaging.

Practice sessions usually take place at the end of school hours or on weekends. Besides school, students also participate in many local cultural activities such as performances at the Song Cau pedestrian street, the National Unity Day, and the Spring Festival…

After nearly six years of operation, the club has become a shining example of preserving ethnic culture in schools. However, the journey of keeping the Then folk singing tradition alive in schoolyards still faces many difficulties. The club has almost no operating budget; most of the props are provided by the artists themselves or through donations from benefactors. Many trips for students to participate in cultural exchanges outside the province are also funded by the artists themselves.

Meanwhile, the rapid development of social media and modern music genres has also caused many students to gradually drift away from traditional culture. Artisan Ha Duc Dinh expressed his concern: "A segment of today's youth is easily swept away by online trends. If there are no people to preserve and pass on this tradition, then the art of 'then' (a type of Vietnamese folk singing) will easily fade away."

Therefore, the school continues to recruit students from grade 4 and above to participate in the club, prioritizing those with musical talent. What is particularly valuable is the strong support from parents and the local community behind the club's activities. Many parents proactively encourage their children to learn traditional folk singing and playing the zither as a way to preserve their national culture...

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202605/loi-then-giua-san-truong-0fd49d2/