Young people keep the soul 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, Dong Dang commune, perform Then singing and Tinh lute.

Meritorious artisan Nguyen Van Tho (born in 1991), in Na Noong village, Trang Dinh commune is an example. With a special love for his people's Then practice heritage, at only 34 years old, Tho has spent nearly 23 years practicing, performing and bringing ancient Then to the people, especially the young. In addition to religious Then ceremonies, Tho has participated in many festivals and performances of Then practice heritage in and outside the province. In 2024, Tho was one of the artisans from Lang Son and Quang Ninh provinces invited by the Vietnam Elite Association (L'Association Parfums du Vietnam) in France to perform Then practice heritage in Nice and Paris, France.

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

Similar to Mr. Tho, Mr. Duong Doan Quang (born in 1992), Bac Son commune, has a deep passion for the đàn tính. Since he was in grade 9, Mr. Quang has been tinkering with making đàn tính himself, initially for his own use, then as gifts for some đàn lovers and “the good news spread far and wide” and many people in the surrounding area came to order. The đàn tính made by Mr. Quang not only serves local people but also many customers in neighboring provinces such as Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang , etc.

Mr. Quang shared: For me, the Tinh is not only a musical instrument but also a friend to confide in when happy or sad. Therefore, I make Tinh not only for income but also for my passion, my love for the cultural heritage of the Tay ethnic group. In addition to making Tinh, I also join the local Tinh singing club and often perform for tourists at community tourism villages.

Sharing the same passion for Then melodies, Lang Thuy Linh (born in 2006), from Hoang Van Thu commune, currently a second-year student at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, has brought this folk performance to the younger generation through social networks. Linh created a Tiktok channel called “Nang Then Thuy Linh”, where she shares performance videos, then singing instructions, and playing the Tinh lute, helping young people approach folk art in a gentler and more intimate way. The videos produced by Linh have vivid effects and engaging sounds, attracting tens of thousands of views and interactions.

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

According to statistics from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DTC), in the province there are currently about 100 young people participating in preserving and maintaining the values of Then practice heritage (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 young generation to inherit and promote the value of cultural heritage, including Then practice heritage, in recent times we have organized classes to teach Then singing and Tinh lute in the community, honored and rewarded young Then artisans who have made many contributions to the cultural activities of the province; invited young Then artisans to perform at major events... Currently, the young Then team is increasingly affirming its role in preserving and promoting the value of national cultural heritage.

Along with that, in recent times, the education and training sector has included Then singing in extracurricular classes and school activities. Currently, the province has 23 schools at 3 levels that have organized and established Then singing and Tinh lute clubs, attracting over 400 students.

The cooperation of all levels and sectors in preserving and promoting the value of Then practice heritage has contributed to nurturing the souls of young people, helping them love and be proud of their national identity. Thereby, the Then practice heritage is not only preserved but also becomes alive and develops strongly in the community.

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