After the opening ceremony, arts troupes from 14 provinces participating in the festival performed Then singing accompanied by Tinh lute. These performances were deeply imbued with traditional cultural identities of Tay, Nung and Thai ethnics. The festival from May 12 to 14 gathers more than 500 artisans from the 14 provinces nationwide. It is considered a rendezvous of diverse Then melodies, dances and music from different ethnic regions. Activities of the event include an exhibition of products from the 14 participating provinces, a display of the Then culture of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic groups, Then singing performances, the re-enactment of the traditional Then rituals and the art of Then singing in Ha Giang, and tours of local imposing landscapes. Nguyen Thi Hai Nhung, Director of the Department of Ethnic Culture under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the Then of Tay, Nung and Thai ethnics is a special genre of folk spiritual culture created in and connected … [Read more...] about National festival reflects diversity of Then signing art
Reflect life
Exhibition reveals simple but great life of President Hồ
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — The house in which President Hồ Chí Minh spent the last moments of his simple life is spotlighted at an exhibition that opened yesterday in Hà Nội. The exhibition tells the story of the house on stilts built 60 years ago on the grounds of the Presidential Palace. The construction reflects the morality of President Hồ and his love for the nation and people. When Hà Nội was liberated in 1954, President Hồ lived and worked in this area but he refused to live in the Presidential Palace, a large villa built by French colonialists in the early 20th century. Because of his love for nature and habits of living a simple life, he used the Presidential Palace for diplomatic activities only and lived in a small house where electricians had resided. Four years later, the Politburo built the house on stilts with design based on the houses of the people living in the northern mountainous region, where President … [Read more...] about Exhibition reveals simple but great life of President Hồ
Then heritage in Vietnamese cultural life
For Tay, Nung and Thai people, Then singing is an indispensable part of their religious and spiritual lives, even back when the art was on the brink of falling into oblivion.According to researchers, the word “Then” originates from “Thien”, which means sky or heaven. Therefore, Then singing is regarded as a tune of the Gods by local ethnic people.Then performers (Photo: VNA)Music theorist Nguyen Thi Minh Chau from the Vietnam Association of Composers said Then was created by Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic groups.Then is considered a spiritual product reflecting the social and cultural life of people with a special combination of literature, music and dance, she said.Those practicing Then are labourers who understand local customs and carry out important rituals for communities and individuals in important periods of life. Thereby, Then is believed to derive from the working life of people, she added.The most important figures in a Then singing performance are … [Read more...] about Then heritage in Vietnamese cultural life
Photo book recalls artists’ life in wartime
2452359PM.jpg)
VietNamNet Bridge – The life and work of artists during the resistance is portrayed truthfully in a recently released photo book containing the work of late photographer Tran Van Luu. Photographer Tran Van Luu is seen in his house at 11 Hang Bong Street, a rendezvous of many artists in the past.— Photo courtesy of Kim Dong Publishing House Kim Dong Publishing House and the photographer’s family showcased the collection of 200 black-and-white photos for the first time with the aim of reflecting writers, poets and artists who were active during the wartime. Luu was known as the recorder of history of Vietnamese literature and art during the resistance war as he lived and worked together with the artists, according to Huu Thinh, Chairman of the Viet Nam Union of Literature and Arts Associations. He said the book is a precious collection because it reflects the life and career of photographer Luu. “The book is released 15 years after his death, enough … [Read more...] about Photo book recalls artists’ life in wartime
Breathing life into stones in Ninh Binh Province
(VEN) - Mother Nature has bestowed Ninh Binh Province with spectacular limestone mountains, and the art of stone carving first appeared in Ninh Van Commune of Hoa Lu District four centuries ago. Souvenir production at Van Bao Ngoc fine art and handicraft production enterprise in Ninh Van Commune In the past, stone carving was only practiced in a few households in the commune, mainly producing items made of blue stone, which were sold locally. These days, according to local statistics, about 80 businesses, 600 collectives and 1,600 households take part in the carving industry, providing work for more than 3,000 laborers, accounting for 83 percent of the population. The increased stone carving activity over the past 20 years reflects growing customer demand for stone products. Using techniques handed down by their ancestors, artisans in Ninh Van have created a prestigious position for the traditional craft village in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Through their talented and … [Read more...] about Breathing life into stones in Ninh Binh Province