Vi-Giam folk singing recognized as intangible cultural heritage of humanity
(VOVworld) - Vietnam’s Nghe Tinh Vi-Giam folk singing was officially recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity at the 9th session of its Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paris on Thursday.
Vi-Giam folk singing recognized as intangible cultural heritage of humanity (Photo:hatinh24h.org.vn)
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Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien said the recognition is of great significance to Vietnam because the genre practiced in villages in the central provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh has long been closely linked to local daily life. She noted that Vietnam is committed to implementing an action program to preserve Vi-Giam singing, carrying out policies to honor artisans, and intensifying communication campaigns to educate young generations about this art. The UNESCO recognition is also an honor for the overseas Vietnamese community. Professor Tran Quang Hai, an expert on Vietnamese traditional music, who worked with Vietnamese agencies to compile the dossier on Vi-giam folk singing, said:“I’m glad that another Vietnamese music genre has been recognized by UNESCO as a cultural heritage of humanity. It’s a great honor for the Vietnamese nation. Vi-Giam folk music includes tunes of Vi and airs of Giam, reflecting the diversity of the pentatonic scale in Vietnamese traditional music.”
Experts strongly believe Vi-Giam folk singing’s vitality is stronger than ever in the cultural and spiritual life of many Vietnamese people, particularly those in the central region.