Folk Music Preservation Association plays role in preserving Cao Bang’s cultural treasure
(VOVWORLD) - The northern mountainous province of Cao Bang is the source of hundreds of folk songs from Tay, Nung, Mong, and Dao ethnic people which embrace great cultural and historical values. Cao Bang’s Folk Music Preservation Association has made a great effort to preserve and promote those folk songs in contemporary life.
 The Cao Bang provincial Folk Music Preservation Association often work with localities to organize music programs and contests. (Photo: VOV) |
The Cao Bang provincial Folk Music Preservation Association was established in 2011 and now has 10 branches, according to its Vice Chairman Hoang Kim Tue.
“The Association’s initial name ‘Then singing club’ was later changed to the Folk Music Preservation Association to reflect the province’s rich treasure of folk songs of different ethnic groups. The Association is a venue for folk music lovers and its membership has grown from 70 to 2,000,” said Tue.
The Association has done lots of research and collected dozens of folk songs from different genres. Its members also wrote lyrics for more than 160 songs, many of which have become popular.
“Our members meet twice or three times a week to rehearse the songs. We sing songs of different genres like Then, Sli, and Luon. We collect songs and teach each other,” Tue added.
 Then singing is taught at schools. (Photo: VOV) |
Apart from organizing performances and contests, Cao Bang province’s Folk Music Preservation Association has also opened classes to popularize folk songs among local people.
Member Chu Thi Khuyen is excited to perform on a pedestrian street in Cao Bang.
“I could play the Tinh musical instrument to accompany Then singing when I was young. Now, I join Cao Bang province’s Folk Music Preservation Association to have more chances to play music. I hope that the Association will further develop to preserve and promote folk songs of ethnic groups,” said Khuyen.