The Cathedral sparkles in the Christmas concert night

The concert featured 22 songs promoting Czech culture and celebrating Christmas performed by Czech soprano Bella Adamova and a pianist from Vietnam.

Singer Bella Adamova at the concert. (Photo: Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

On the evening of December 17, a Christmas concert was held at Hanoi Cathedral (the Great Church) organized by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vietnam. The music was performed by opera singer Bella Adamova and pianist Phan Phuc.

This is both a cultural event for Catholics celebrating Advent and an opportunity to promote and exchange cultures between the Czech Republic and Vietnam. The event attracts not only religious followers and embassy guests, but also music lovers who know about the program.

22 songs were presented to the audience, including a hymn "Elijah Op. 70" by Felix Mendelssohn, Gypsy songs by composer Antonín Dvořák and Moravian folk songs with strong Czech cultural influences, German songs by composer Gustav Mahler and finally some Christmas carols.

Hymn "Silent Night". ( Video : Minh Anh/Vietnam+)

Bella Adamova was born in 1992 in Chechnya, and studied in Germany, England and the United States. She has a mezzo soprano voice. This voice is less common in Vietnam than the tenor voice. “The middle voice can go to lower notes, so sometimes the singing is almost like talking, which helps to enhance the narrative in the song,” commented pianist Phan Phuc.

Pianist Phan Phuc was born in 1987, studied Music Theory and French Literature in the US and had an internship in France. He participated in many music events and cultural exchanges in Vietnam and abroad.

At the event, the Czech Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Hynek Kmoníček, presented the Cathedral with a baby Jesus cloak as a thank you for allowing the event. This is a traditional gift in the Czech Republic on important Catholic holidays.

On the occasion of the concert, Ambassador Hynek Kmoníček called on the audience to contribute to the Church's fund to support poor children. Parish priest Giuse Ta Minh Quy also presented the ambassador with a gift in the hope of spreading good values to the community.

2025 will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Czech Republic (1950-2025). This is an opportunity to bring this relationship to new heights in many aspects of economy, society, health, education, culture, tourism, security, etc., thereby promoting effective cooperation and improving the lives of the people of the two countries.