In the communal space of An Thai village (Van Phu ward, Phu Tho province), ancient Xoan folk songs still regularly resound through the drums and clappers of the artisans. In the journey of preserving this traditional art form, People's Artist Nguyen Thi Lich is one of those who have dedicated most of her life to preserving and passing on Xoan singing to future generations.
“Her greatest joy is that many of her students have now gone on to become guardians and disseminators of the heritage of their homeland and nation, which is also the Intangible Cultural Heritage of all humanity…”
(People's Artist Nguyen Thi Lich - Head of An Thai Xoan singing troupe, Phu Tho province)
Born in 1950 into a family with a five-generation tradition of Xoan singing, the artist grew up accompanying her father and elders from the An Thai Xoan singing troupe to village festivals. Her father, Mr. Nguyen Tat Thang, directly taught her Xoan singing from a young age. From the age of nine, she began learning each lyric, rhythm, and characteristic performance movement of Xoan singing.
Xoan singers wear red five-panel dresses – the characteristic attire of Xoan singers – in traditional ceremonial settings.
Her childhood was filled with nights of singing practice in the village square, accompanied by the lively sound of drums during every festival season. Despite experiencing a difficult period in her life, having to both farm and sing, her love for traditional Xoan songs has remained strong throughout the years.
Currently, People's Artist Nguyen Thi Lich is the head of the An Thai Xoan singing troupe (Phu Tho province). Since 2011, when Xoan singing was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection, many conservation activities have been strongly implemented, and the artist has begun actively bringing Xoan singing closer to students and young people.
For over 15 years, the artisan has been involved in teaching Xoan singing at many schools in Phu Tho province, from preschool to primary school, while also maintaining free classes in An Thai Xoan ward. The artisan's students are of various ages, including not only children but also those who love traditional culture.
According to artisan Lich, Xoan singing requires perseverance and harmonious coordination between the lyrics, hand movements, the way the fan is held, and the rhythmic clapping.
Thanks to this, in Phu Tho, the "ancestral land," every day and every hour, there are artisans who, with their dedication and concern, continue to spread and preserve the cultural identity of Xoan singing amidst the flow of contemporary culture...
Currently, to contribute to preserving and spreading Xoan singing, many programs and projects are being implemented, especially the "Sounds of the Ancestral Land" communication project carried out by a group of students from the Academy of Journalism and Communication in collaboration with the Phu Tho Provincial Center for Culture, Information and Film.
The project chose to tell the stories of artisans such as People's Artisan Nguyen Thi Lich, Meritorious Artisan Bui Thi Kieu Nga, Artisan Nguyen Xuan Hoi, etc., through various creative forms on digital platforms.
Distinguished artisan Bui Thi Kieu Nga.
In particular, the highlight of the "Sounds of the Ancestral Land" project is the "Xoan Festival," scheduled to be held on May 23rd at the Hanoi Museum. The event promises to create a vibrant experiential space where participants can explore the history and value of Phu Tho Xoan singing. Notable activities include: visiting the exhibition area showcasing knowledge about Xoan singing, decorating bamboo clappers, fortune-telling with content inspired by ancient Xoan songs, and interacting with and practicing Xoan singing alongside artisans.
It is clear that the appreciation and efforts of the younger generation to spread culture through projects like "Sounds of the Ancestral Land" are the sweet fruits and most meaningful gifts for these artisans.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/nguoi-gin-giu-nhung-bai-xoan-co-noi-dat-to.html
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