Hanoi artisans preserve intangible culture

Folk artists are those who have transmitted the quintessential values of Hanoi's ancient culture, contributing to the promotion of the capital's intangible cultural values, said Associate Professor Tran Thi An, President of the Hanoi Folk Arts Association, at a workshop organized in the city this week.

A performance by the Hanoi Ca tru Club at Kim Ngan Temple, No.42 Hang Bac Street. Photo courtesy of the club

"Folk artists are an important element of cultural heritage. They have a social responsibility to help protect and promote heritage values," she said at the workshop entitled "The Role and Responsibility of Artisans in Protecting and Promoting the Value of Hanoi's Intangible Cultural Heritage".

Echoing An, researcher Le Hong Ly believes that folk artists, with their important role, need to be more active in educating the community, especially the younger generation, about the value of intangible cultural heritage.

According to statistics by local authorities, there are currently 1,793 intangible cultural heritage sites of all kinds in Hanoi. The city has the largest number of intangible cultural heritages in the country, ranging from folk knowledge and social customs to folk art genres.

The city has awarded 18 folk artists with the title of People's Artist and 113 with the title of Meritorious Artist.

Foreign visitors to Hanoi enjoyed the Hanoi Ca Tru Club show, which takes place every weekend. Photo courtesy of the club

Local authorities have also offered good policies to remunerate folk artists in recent times. Specifically, the city provides monthly support to People's Artists and Artists of Merit, motivating them to continue to preserve and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage.
In addition to existing intangible heritage clubs, namely Khanh Ha Commune's Drum Club in Thuong Tin District and Yen Nghia Ca Tru Club in Ha Dong District, Hanoi will soon have 10 more, including Lo Khe Village's Ca Tru, Trieu Khuc Village's Folk Dance, and Xuan Non Commune's Tuong Folk Singing, among others.