Thang Binh preserves the art of Bai Choi

playing-cards(1).jpg — Students perform the art of Bài Chòi at the closing ceremony of the training course on teaching and fostering practical skills of Bài Chòi heritage. Photo: QUANG VIET

Urgent conservation

The People's Committee of Thang Binh district has just coordinated with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to organize a summary training course on teaching and fostering practical skills of the art heritage of Bai Choi in 2025.

After 10 days of implementation, the training course with the serious and responsible teaching of artist Nguyen Van Quy - Deputy Head of the Department of Culture - Arts (Center for Culture - Information and Communication - Television of Hoi An City), musician Nguyen Tinh - Quang Nam Opera and Drama Group, the trainees who are teachers, students, retirees... in the district have acquired knowledge and skills in singing Bai Choi and using musical instruments. The Organizing Committee has granted certificates of completion of the training program to 86 trainees.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Oanh - teacher of Binh Tri Commune Kindergarten said that students not only have access to the history of formation and development of Bai Choi in Quang Nam in general and Thang Binh district in particular, but also master the way to sing, perform and use traditional musical instruments.

“Bai Choi is above all an art that connects the community, a folk tradition, a place to preserve the traditional culture of the nation. By mastering the musical skills and performing Bai Choi, the members and I will preserve, pass on and spread these good values in life,” said teacher Oanh.

game 3 — Teacher Nguyen Thi Hoang Oanh talks with Mr. Vo Dang Nhu about preserving the art of Bai Choi in Thang Binh district. Photo: QUANG VIET

Mr. Vo Dang Nhu - an officer of the Department of Culture - Science - Information of Thang Binh district said that through the training course, the trainees have mastered the origin of the Central region's bai choi; methods of organizing and maintaining the activities of folk bai choi clubs and groups; and ways to organize a bai choi festival in Quang region. The trainees are proficient in playing instruments, singing, and performing folk melodies, ly, ho, ve, and calling for bai choi singing...

“Teaching and fostering practical skills of the Bai Choi art heritage is very urgent in the district. This is an essential activity to preserve and promote the intangible heritage of the Bai Choi art and develop Bai Choi clubs and groups to meet the needs of enjoying the cultural and artistic culture of local people,” said Mr. Nhu.

Preserve and transmit

According to Mr. Vo Dang Nhu, in recent years, the cultural sector of Thang Binh district has made efforts to preserve and conserve the art of Bai Choi with the desire to pass it on to the younger generation. Melodies such as Xuan Nu, Co Ban, Xang Xe, Ho Quang... performed through singing and performing the art of Bai Choi have always been loved by people, especially the young.

game-2(1).jpg — Students complete the training course on teaching and fostering practical skills of the heritage of Bài Chòi. Photo: QUANG VIỆT

After completing the training course on the practice of the Bai Choi art heritage, Thang Binh district encouraged the establishment of Bai Choi singing clubs, associations, and groups, gathering core forces to participate in Bai Choi performances in many places. Thereby contributing to preserving and spreading the passion for Bai Choi art to the public, especially students in schools in the area.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien - Acting Head of the Department of Culture - Science - Information of Thang Binh district said that over time, the art of Bai Choi has been continuously selected, inherited, enhanced and affirmed the cultural identity of Quang Nam. That identity enriches the spiritual life of the people, connecting and strengthening the community ties.

“In the coming time, Thang Binh district will continue to organize classes to teach the art of Bai Choi to the young generation, especially students in schools. We will organize exchange activities and performances of Bai Choi in localities so that the community can enjoy it, artists can perform and teach, and spread the love of Bai Choi in the community. The district will strive to combine the preservation of Bai Choi with tourism development,” said Ms. Hien.

Ms. Vo Thi Thanh Van - Deputy Head of Cultural Management Department (Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism) said: "To preserve and promote the value of Bai Choi art, Thang Binh district needs to develop a plan to periodically hold festivals, performances, and competitions on folk songs and Bai Choi singing.

Along with that, open folk song composition competitions with diverse forms to promptly provide quality works for the conservation and transmission of the art of Bai Choi... Thereby contributing to effectively preserving and promoting the value of heritage".

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/thang-binh-gin-giu-nghe-thuat-bai-choi-3156097.html