Circle dance connecting hearts

As scheduled, at the end of April, the 3rd "Sparkling Circle Dance" Contest - 2025, organized by the People's Committee of Nghia Lo town, was successfully held once again, affirming the local efforts to spread and promote the artistic value of Thai Xoe dance and confirming the vitality of Thai Xoe dance in the Muong Lo region. Thai Xoe dance art is a sacred symbol of solidarity and the aspiration for a peaceful and prosperous life of the ethnic groups in the Northwest region.

Nghia Lo organizes the 2nd "Sparkling Xoe Dance Circle" competition with 1,400 participants.

Proud of the Thai Xoe Dance Heritage

>> Thai Xoe Dance - A Love That Lasts Forever

>> Nghia Lo showcases the unique "Sparkling Circle Dance" competition.

Nghia Lo, the heart of the Muong Lo region, has for generations been the cradle that preserves, nurtures, and spreads this enduring beauty. In 2021, "Thai Xoe Dance Art" was honored to be inscribed by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This event marks a major step forward in the preservation and promotion of Thai culture.

Amidst this joy and pride, the awareness and responsibility of the people and the entire political system in the town towards the preservation and promotion of heritage values ​​have become even stronger. Following the success of the 2023 and 2024 competitions, which left many impressions on the people and tourists, this year's "Sparkling Circle Dance" competition also brought audiences even more impressive performances and a wider range of emotions.

Mr. Luong Manh Ha, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of the town and Head of the Organizing Committee of the 3rd "Sparkling Circle Dance" Contest - 2025, said: "This year's Organizing Committee aims for innovation, creativity, and professionalism, emphasizing artistic merit, performance style, traditional costumes and props, and more elaborate and high-quality staging to continue to impress the judges and meet the expectations of the people and tourists."

In the days leading up to the competition, 14 teams from 14 communes and wards, with over 1,500 artisans and amateur performers, actively and wholeheartedly practiced at village cultural centers with the spirit of "rice in the morning, corn in the afternoon, and Xoe dance in the evening".

This further affirms the love and pride for national cultural values ​​that are deeply ingrained in the hearts of every citizen of Nghia Lo, contributing to the preservation, honoring, and conservation of heritage.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Thu, from the Phu Nham commune's Xoe dance team, shared: "Although this competition has high and low rankings, each member of the team is determined to perform with the highest responsibility and dedication. Most importantly, we participate with a spirit of solidarity and learning, showcasing the best of our cultural identity and the beauty in each Xoe dance, each costume, prop, and song to create a dazzling circle dance, imbued with the love of the land and people of Muong Lo."

Ms. Hoang Thi Tuyen, from the Tan An ward's Xoe dance team, expressed: "Xoe dance is a cultural activity of the Thai people that has enduring vitality in the community. In the past, the Thai people danced to relieve fatigue after a hard day's work, expressing their dreams and aspirations for a prosperous life and opening up new joys. Today, that meaning remains unchanged; the Thai people dance not for the sake of grand festivals but simply to express their passion for art, talent, and their feelings. We practice and perform in the competition with that spirit."

Ms. Nguyen Hong Ha, a tourist from Hanoi, excitedly said: "I've heard about Thai Xoe dance for a long time, and now that I've witnessed the performances at the competition, it has left a strong impression on me. In particular, the formations of the competing teams conveyed meaningful messages and symbols, such as forming the number 30/4, the five-pointed golden star, and the bauhinia flower… all were very beautiful. I captured many beautiful images, and I will definitely share them on social media to spread the values ​​of Thai Xoe dance to more of my friends.”

After three editions, it can be affirmed that the "Sparkling Circle Dance" competition is both a unique cultural playground for participating teams to showcase their talent and passion for folk art, and a celebration of the beauty of traditional culture and community solidarity, bringing the value of Thai circle dance closer to friends both domestically and internationally. Even after the festival concludes, the echoes remain in the handshakes, the immersion in the circle dance, the feeling of unity, and the desire to connect hearts that love Nghia Lo - Muong Lo.

As part of a series of activities celebrating major national holidays, especially the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), the 30th anniversary of the Re-establishment of Nghia Lo Town (May 15, 1995 - May 15, 2025), and the 135th anniversary of the birth of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2025), this year's "Sparkling Circle Dance" competition is not only a highlight of cultural and spiritual activities but also a concrete action to preserve and promote the value of "Thai Circle Dance Art," "transforming heritage into assets" of Nghia Lo town.

Thu Hanh

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/16/349737/Vong-xoe-ket-noi-trai-tim.aspx