Participants at the seminar in Hanoi agreed that Then singing will be entered for consideration under the official name “Then Tay-Nung-Thai Vietnam”.
The Music Conservatory under Vietnam National Academy of Music has held a scientific seminar on traditional Then singing with the participation of scientists, cultural researchers, and representatives of departments of culture, sports and tourism from 11 of 12 localities having Then arts.
These 12 localities included the northern provinces of Cao Bang, Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Ha Giang, Quang Ninh, Son La, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Bac Giang, Yen Bai, and the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak.
Participants at the seminar said that Then singing will be submitted to UNESCO in a bid for recognition as an intangible world cultural heritage.
They agreed that Then singing is a traditional genre which plays an important and innovative role in the cultural and spiritual life of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic groups in Vietnam. The art form has impacted local and national identity through its influence on literature, language, poetry, music, dance, rituals and spiritual practices.
In December 2011, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism added Then singing to an official list of the nation’s intangible cultural heritages.
Source: cpv.org.vn
