The 'keeper of the flame' for Then

Artist Xuan Bach - The one who introduced the art of

Artist Xuan Bach - The one who introduced rap into Then.

Bring Then to the world

Born in 1989, a Nung ethnic minority, and raised amidst the mountains of Trang Dinh ( Lang Son province ), Xuan Bach was fortunate to inherit artistic traditions from his family. From the early Then performances at village festivals, from the sounds of the Tinh lute echoing across the borderlands, Bach nurtured a deep love for his ethnic heritage. Now, as a lecturer at the Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts, Xuan Bach continues to fulfill his roles as an artist, a teacher, and an inspiration to the younger generation.

Mentioning Xuan Bach brings to mind his numerous occasions of "bringing Then music across the sea" to introduce it to international friends. Among them, the trip to France to perform (2017) left him with many beautiful memories and impressions.

He said: "When I came to France, I brought not only the sound of the Tinh lute and the Then melodies, but also the soul of Viet Bac. In Paris and Nice, our performances not only delighted the French audience, but also stirred deep emotions within the Vietnamese community."

That night, many tears were shed. Not only by the audience, but also by artists like Xuan Bach. "With a piece of Then music, Viet Bac seemed to come alive in the heart of Europe," he recalled.

For artist Xuan Bach, Then is not just art, but also a spiritual "medicine" for the community. Therefore, he disagrees with confining Then entirely within the realm of religious beliefs.

"If we only keep Then within rituals, the heritage will be limited and difficult to spread to the masses, especially international audiences," he explained. That's why he boldly introduced rap and Then, which has initially been well-received, praised, and enjoyed by many famous artists, colleagues, and students at the school.

What's special is that his innovations don't diminish Then's essence, but instead bring traditional music closer to young people who are used to digital music, fast tempos, and innovative styles.

Concerns about the decline and responsibility of the younger generation.

Although Then has been recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, artist Xuan Bach remains concerned about the risk of its disappearance.

Therefore, he devoted all his passion to teaching, research, and performance, hoping that Then singing and Tinh playing would not only resonate on stage, but also live on in every home and every generation.

Before the performance.

In the digital age, where many traditional values are easily forgotten, young artist Xuan Bach stands out as a rare beacon of light: youthful, creative, committed, and highly responsible. He doesn't see himself as merely a preserver, but rather a "connector"—connecting the past with the present, heritage with innovation, and art with hearts in need of connection.

Over the years, he has participated in numerous programs for collecting, performing, researching, and restoring Then-Tinh; winning many major national awards (2 Gold Medals, etc.); and being honored as "Outstanding Young Teacher Nationwide" and "Outstanding Young Artist" at the central level in 2024. These achievements not only recognize his talent but also serve as evidence of a heart that remains steadfast in its commitment to folk heritage.

Therefore, the image of artist Xuan Bach performing Then in the heart of Paris, in the exhibition room of artist Dominique De Miscault, or in art galleries in Nice… is not only a professional success, but also a vivid testament to the vitality of Tay-Nung culture in the new era.

Then, through the hands and heart of artist Xuan Bach, is not only resonating but also "coming back to life" in contemporary life. A young artist, with love and dedication, has brought Then to the world, breathed new life into the tradition, and, more importantly, brought the younger generation back to the roots of national culture.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202512/nguoi-giu-lua-cho-then-b2e7287/