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Apr 08, 2018 / 14:38

Traditional Then Singing festival to start in May

The festival will be held in Ha Giang province on May 13-14.

As the sixth edition of the National Festival of Traditional Then Singing, the festival aims to honour then singers and artistes as well as preserve and develop the practice of then singing and tinh instrument in modern life.
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo
 
With the participancy of art troupes from 16 Vietnamese provinces and cities, the festival will provide an opportunity to introduce and popularise unique art forms of the ethnic minorities in the northwest of the country to both domestic and international tourists as well as showcase the tourism potential of the participating provinces, according to the organisation board.
Many activities, including a photo exhibition with the theme “Then-Tay, Nung, Thai, Vietnam Cultural Heritages”, will be held as part of the festival.
Artisans and art troupes from the northern, central and southern provinces, such as Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Dak Lak and HCM City, will perform different types of then singing.
Then is performed during significant events, such as prayer ceremonies for peace, good crops and good health, as well as to bring cheer and drive away sorrows.
"Then" singing is a traditional kind of oratorio art in Vietnam. That form of art performance originated form religious activities of Tai, Tay and Nung ethnic groups in Northern Vietnam. The name "Then" is a word in the language of Tay ethnic group and means "god" in English. That name comes from religious liturgies of ethnic people to worship the god and pray for their life.