Young people preserve the spirit of then.

- With the passion and creativity of young people, the Then practice heritage of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups in the province has been gradually spreading to the public.

Young members of the Diep Sli Then Club in Dong Dang commune perform Then singing and Tinh playing.

Distinguished artisan Nguyen Van Tho (born in 1991), from Na Noong village, Trang Dinh commune, is a prime example. With a special love for his ethnic group's Then folk singing tradition, at only 34 years old, Mr. Tho has nearly 23 years of experience practicing, performing, and bringing ancient Then to the people, especially the youth. Besides religious Then ceremonies, Mr. Tho has participated in numerous festivals and performances showcasing the Then folk singing tradition both within and outside the province. In 2024, Mr. Tho was one of the artisans from Lang Son and Quang Ninh provinces invited by the Association of Vietnamese Parfums (L'Association Parfums du Vietnam) in France to perform Then folk singing in Nice and Paris, France.

Mr. Tho shared: "I want the Then practice heritage to not be confined to the village space and only for the elderly to listen to and watch Then, but also for young people to know about and love Then, especially young people of the Tay ethnic group. Otherwise, the traditional culture of our ancestors will fade away and be lost."

Similarly to Mr. Tho, Mr. Duong Doan Quang (born in 1992), from Bac Son commune, has a deep passion for the Tinh lute. Since he was in 9th grade, Mr. Quang has been tinkering with making Tinh lutes himself, initially for his own use, then giving them away to some lute enthusiasts. Word spread, and many people in the surrounding area came to order them. The Tinh lutes made by Mr. Quang not only serve local people but also many customers from neighboring provinces such as Thai Nguyen and Cao Bang …

Mr. Quang shared: "For me, the zither is not just a musical instrument, but also a friend to confide in during happy and sad times. Therefore, I make zithers not only for income but also out of passion, out of my love for the cultural heritage of the Tay ethnic group. Besides making zithers, I also participate in the local zither-singing club and often perform for tourists at community tourism villages."

Sharing a passion for Then folk singing, Lang Thuy Linh (born in 2006), from Hoang Van Thu commune, currently a second-year student at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, has introduced this folk performance art form to the younger generation through social media. Linh created a TikTok channel called "Nang Then Thuy Linh," where she shares videos of performances, tutorials on singing Then folk songs and playing the Tinh instrument, helping young people access folk art in a gentle and accessible way. The videos Linh produces herself feature lively effects and captivating sound, attracting tens of thousands of views and interactions.

Mr. Tho, Mr. Quang, and Ms. Linh are just three of the many young people today who are contributing daily to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural heritage of Lang Son amidst modern life. The combination of traditional culture with modern elements has created unique, distinctive, and attractive features.

According to statistics from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, there are currently about 100 young people in the province participating in the preservation and maintenance of the values ​​of the Then ritual practice (aged 18 to 35).

Mr. Luu Ba Mac, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: "To encourage and create conditions for the younger generation to inherit and promote the values ​​of cultural heritage, including the Then singing tradition, we have organized classes to teach Then singing and Tinh playing in the community, honored and rewarded young Then artisans who have made significant contributions to the province's cultural activities; and invited young Then artisans to perform at major events... Currently, the young Then artisans are increasingly asserting their role in the preservation and promotion of the value of national cultural heritage."

In addition, the education and training sector has recently incorporated Then singing into extracurricular activities and school programs. Currently, 23 schools across three educational levels in the province have organized and established Then singing and Dan Tinh playing clubs, attracting over 400 students.

The concerted efforts of all levels and sectors in preserving and promoting the value of the Then practice heritage have contributed to nurturing the souls of young people, helping them to love and be proud of their national identity. Through this, the Then practice heritage is not only preserved but also becomes vibrant and thrives within the community.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/nguoi-tre-giu-hon-di-san-then-5053836.html