A festival dedicating to “ then” – the traditional singing of the Tay and Nung ethnic people - will kick off tonight in the northern province of Bac Can.

More than 300 artists are scheduled to perform during the three-day event, which takes place at the provincial cultural house.

However, according to the deputy director of the Bac Can Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Dao Duy Duc, there are only four “then” singing old artisans still alive in the province, considered the “cradle” of “then” singing.

“While the old artisans are the ones who are able to sing the old melodies perfectly, the young artists are fascinated in innovations on the melodies,” he said.

During the past year, the province has paid greater attention to preserving this unique art form. One step was to form a group of “then” artists in Pac Ngoi Village – a Tay ethnic cultural village in Nam Mau District.
“These artists not only contribute to the preservation of this art form but also introduce the genre to foreign visitors,” said Duc. “Although I was born and grew up in this region, I am still fascinated by “then” melodies and the pure sound of the “tinh” instrument, which is the essential instrument to accompany then singers.”

Hoang Duc Hau, deputy head of the festival’s organising committee, said he believed that the festival would hold “a lot of nice surprises”. Audiences would have chance to enjoy the sweet then molodies which are often sung at special events in the lives of the ethnic people.

During the opening ceremony tonight, audiences would also have a chance to enjoy a special performance by four different generations of a single family.

Another highlight will be the performance of veteran artist Nong Thi Sam from Lang Son Province . The 68-years old, who started singing as a young girl, will perform the song Ba Day Chau Hat Then (Grandma Teaches Her Grandson to Sing “Then” Melodies) in, appropriately enough, a duet with her grandson Chu Van Minh.

“I hope the audiences will enjoy the beauty of “then” melodies through the performances of artists from different province. The Thai Trang and Day ethnic artists from Lai Chau and Lao Cai will perform original “then” songs,” said Hau.

Popular “then” singers such as Nong Van Khang, Nong Xuan Ai, and Quynh Nha were also scheduled to present their innovations on “then” songs.

The festival’s opening ceremony will be broadcast on VTV2 and the international channel, VTV4.

In addition to the performances, the festival will feature an exhibition of “tinh” instruments and costumes of “then” singers, and workshops will allow artists to share their experiences./.