Preserving the source of Quan Ho culture

Holding in his hands a wooden betel box inlaid with mother-of-pearl paintings of returning home to pay homage to ancestors - one of the souvenirs kept in the gallery of ancient and modern quan ho artifacts (exhibition room), Mr. Duong Duc Thang, Vice Chairman of the Club confided: “This is a souvenir of my grandmother, quan ho artist Nguyen Thi Hap. When she was young, this was an indispensable item every time she went out to invite her quan ho friends. When she married my grandfather, artist Duong Van Quyen, this betel box was also brought along. Later, the betel box was lost, and following my grandparents' story, I learned that this souvenir was in Choi village (now Kinh Bac ward), so I worked hard to collect it again.”

Immediately, Mr. Duong Duc Thang introduced the betel box of Quan Ho artist Nguyen Thi Hap.

In addition, there are many objects of historical and cultural value such as: a bronze tea set associated with the life and career of artisan Nguyen Van Thi in Diem village (Kinh Bac ward); a tea basket for Quan Ho guests of artisan Nguyen Thi Tuoc (Kha Le village, Vo Cuong ward); a betel knife... are displayed here.

Over the years, Mr. Duong Duc Thang and members of the Hoai Trung Village Quan Ho Club have traveled to many places and met many people to collect souvenirs and items related to Quan Ho culture. Up to now, he has collected nearly 200 souvenirs such as conical hats, umbrellas, bibs, and back covers made of brocade, the, oak, and silk of the brothers and sisters; oil lamps used in singing; betel boxes, mortars, lime pots, tea sets, bronze pots, flower bowls, wooden trays, etc. Along with costumes and daily necessities, the Club members spend a lot of time collecting 50 books on Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs and preserving 18 handwritten notebooks of artists with 1,967 Quan Ho songs and more than 200 audio files of voices, ancient songs, and unique songs of artists from ancient Quan Ho villages.

For more than 3 years since its establishment, the gallery has welcomed thousands of domestic and international visitors to visit, research, exchange and study. Meritorious Artist Xuan Mui, former Deputy Director of Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Theater, commented: "Although the artists are no longer around, their relics are kept in the gallery, helping Quan Ho folk song lovers have a more complete and profound understanding of Quan Ho culture in its origins and the past."

In addition, the Hoai Trung Village Quan Ho Club also actively participates in performing and displaying Quan Ho artifacts at many major cultural events inside and outside the province such as: "Space of convergence of the quintessence of intangible cultural heritage" in Ca Mau province; "Journey of colors of intangible cultural heritage representing regions" within the framework of the Quan Ho Festival in 2023...

Article and photos: Nguyen Hoa

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/luu-giu-mach-nguon-van-hoa-quan-ho-postid423088.bbg