A unique form of folk performance using the art of singing and music , which has gone through ups and downs over time, Hat Xam is now developing strongly in many localities across the country, especially in the Northern Delta, including Hanoi.
From the first Xam mat established and performed at Dong Xuan market, many Xam mats and Xam singing classes have been formed in Hanoi.
Hanoi Xam is gradually reviving. To bring this genre closer to the public, it needs attention and support from the community as well as cultural agencies and organizations.
Resurgence after a long absence
Xam Cho is known for its rustic singing and performing style that is typical of the countryside, performed at markets. Xam Nha Tro is performed indoors. Xam Tau Dien is performed on trains, with the performance style following the swaying rhythm of the trains.
With Hanoi Xam, people often immediately think of Xam tau dien, a Xam genre typical of Hanoi in the last century.
After many years of absence, the first Xam show was born in 2006 by the Vietnam Center for Music and Arts Development, called Chieu Xam Ha Thanh, performed every weekend night at Dong Xuan market.
This Xam performance is free, serving locals and tourists visiting and experiencing Hang Dao-Dong Xuan night market and Hanoi Old Quarter.
For a long time, Chieu Xam Ha Thanh has become the cradle that nurtures the love of Hat Xam for the public. Many artists have grown up from this Xam mat and have many activities contributing to the revival and development of Hat Xam art.
The Vietnam Music Arts Development Center is the organizer of the Hat Xam Ancestor Commemoration (February 22nd of the lunar calendar), thereby connecting Hat Xam lovers and spreading the value of Hat Xam to the community.
From the effect of the first Xam show at Dong Xuan market, many other Xam performance locations were born in the city along with the activities of clubs and groups.
Some examples include the Ha Thanh Xam Group with two famous faces, Nguyen Quang Long and Mai Tuyet Hoa; the Tam Viet Xam Club, which gathers visually impaired artists and artisans; and centers, clubs, and groups that organize activities in many diverse forms.
Up to now, dozens of Xam clubs and groups have been formed in Hanoi. From the vitality of Xam Hanoi, many other provinces and cities across the country have formed Xam clubs and groups.
On weekend evenings, Hanoians and the public can enjoy Xam for free at various locations at Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street and Hanoi Old Quarter.
In particular, the Xam Ha Thanh Group, with its performance location in the King Le Thai To Monument area of Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Space, has revived ancient Xam melodies, breathing modern life into new compositions to bring this folk art closer to the public.
Many Xam songs that were once very popular but lost were painstakingly restored by the group, such as " Xam Anh Khoa," "Xam Cai Trong Com," "Quyet Chi Tu Than," "Muc Ha Vo Nhan..."
Nowadays, Xam art is more widely known to the public and has become familiar to many people.
Good news
From the point of revival and development, the art of Xam singing gradually became closer to the people and tourists. Along with free performances for the public, many Xam performances began to charge viewers and were supported by the audience.
With professionalism and sophistication in bringing Xam to the public, the Center for Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Vietnam has found its own way, successfully organizing Xam performances with tickets to serve the public. Address No. 9, Chan Cam Street (Hoan Kiem District) has become the place to organize the Center's regular and fee-based Xam singing program.
To ensure the quality of the performance, especially the transmission of music through acoustic singing, the Center only accepts a maximum of about 20 guests. For many consecutive months since its launch, almost every Xam show has been fully booked and tickets are often sold out quite early.
Although the show is on Sunday morning, the Center usually announces that it is fully booked midweek.
Director of the Center for Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Vietnam Nguyen Le Quyen said that among the types of heritage, Hat Xam is the type that is most accessible to the public.
However, stories and Xam songs are the raw materials, but how to turn those raw materials into cultural products, especially to make buyers feel that their money is worth it, is very difficult. Therefore, the Center must research and coordinate with all parties to create quality products.
The Xam Ha Thanh group is always active in bringing Xam to the public in many forms. In addition to performing Xam at the Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Space, the group regularly holds exchanges, shares, and performs Xam in many places in the country and abroad.
The group also continuously releases music videos about Xam on holidays, Tet, and important events of the country, carries out projects and performances to introduce the art of Hat Xam, and strives to make this art live in contemporary life.
According to music researcher Dang Hoanh Loan, in order for Hat Xam to develop and spread more widely in life, this folk music art genre really needs the attention of the State, local authorities, cultural and artistic organizations, cultural funds, sponsors and especially the responsibility of artisans and the community of people who love Hat Xam.
Besides, it is necessary to encourage and support the maintenance and development of Xam singing clubs, groups, and cultural centers with Xam singing.
This is an open and flexible playground for artisans, artists and Xam lovers to live, meet, exchange, transmit and popularize Xam.
In Hanoi, in addition to creating conditions for Intangible Cultural Heritage clubs and groups to perform, in December 2022, the City People's Council issued Decree No. 23/2022/NQ-HDND regulating the treatment and support regime for People's Artists, Meritorious Artists, Artisans and Outstanding Clubs in the field of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the city.
Typical clubs in this field are supported by the city with funds to operate. This is a good condition for Xam art to revive and spread widely in contemporary life./.
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