National “Tai Tu” Music Festival opens in Binh Duong hinh anh 1A performance at the second National Tai Tu Music Festival in Binh Duong Province ​on April 8. (Photo courtesy of the organiser)

Binh Duong (VNA) - More than 5,000 local people and visitors joined a traditional musical performance to open the second National Tai Tu Music Festival in the southern province of Binh Duong on April 8 night.

Directed by veteran composer Dinh Trung Can, the performance featured ​Tai ​Tu music, the prototype for Vong Co (traditional tunes) and Cai Luong (reformed opera) of southern Vietnam. It is a part of the region’s traditional music that began about 100 years ago.

Vong ​Co and Cai Luong were also presented in the opening ceremony in front of the Binh Duong Administration Centre Building.

The show included hundreds of performers from arts troupes in 21 provinces in the southeast and Mekong Delta regions.

During the night, organisers Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Binh Duong province honoured 70 performers and researchers who have made great contributions to preserving and promoting tai tu music.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tran Thanh Liem, chairman of the province’s People’s Committee, said "The festival aims to honour Tai Tu music, which was recognised as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2013, and to call for the community to preserve and promote the art form as well."

Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said "The festival will contribute to raising people’s awareness in the need to preserve  national cultural heritage. It is also a chance to promote the country’s culture and tourism."

The five-day festival includes stalls to introduce activities promoting Tai Tu music in 21 provinces and tourism products related to the art form.

Performers will tour around Binh Duong province, offering free performances for local residents.

An exhibition showcasing 500 photos about Tai Tu music in the daily lives of people in southern Vietnam is opening at the Binh Duong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

A workshop, singing contest and song-composing contest will also be held during the festival.

The second National Tai Tu Music Festival will close on April 12 with a special performance and fireworks display.-VNA 
VNA