Culture - Sports

“Quan ho” folk singing contest opens

Almost 200 artists, both amateurs and professional, are competing at the 22nd “Quan ho” (love duets) folk singing contest in the northern province of Bac Ninh.
Almost 200 artists, both amateurs and professional, are competing at the22nd “Quan ho” (love duets) folk singing contest in the northernprovince of Bac Ninh.

The two-day event, which opened on Feb. 1, drew the largest number of participants.

Thecontest aims to preserve and revive the valuable, ancient art of “Quanho” (love duet) singing that was recognised by UNESCO as part of theworld’s intangible cultural heritage in 2009.

Quan ho singing is anart form originating in Bac Ninh province, which combines variouselements, including music, lyrics, costumes and a unique style ofsinging that reflects the close relationship between the singers. Therich and diverse tunes and fine lyrics of the songs portray the zest forlife and distinctive cultural features of people in the region formerlycalled Kinh Bac.

The contest preceded the popular Lim Festival whichis held every spring at the Lim Pagoda in Bac Ninh province, which isdedicated to “Quan ho” creator, Hieu Trung Hau.

The festival isexpected to set a national record for the greatest number of peoplewearing traditional Quan ho costumes and singing “Quan ho” at a time,according to Deputy General Secretary of the Association of Bac NinhQuan Ho Singing Fans Vu Hong Duong.

About 3,000 people from provincial Quan Ho clubs are expected to participate in making the national record./.
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