Then singing and Tinh lute are unique traditional artistic heritages, closely associated with the cultural life of the Tay ethnic group in particular and ethnic minorities in general. In May 2017, the Then singing and Tinh lute club in Trang Luong commune, Dong Trieu city was established to contribute to maintaining and preserving the unique cultural and artistic values ​​of the locality as well as to act as a bridge to bring Then singing and Tinh lute closer to the general public.

As a lover of the traditional art heritage of his people, over the years, Mr. Vi Van Tinh, Trung Luong village has always been concerned about how to preserve, maintain and pass on Then singing - Tinh lute to their future generations. Mr. Tinh, along with many "big trees" of Then singing - Tinh lute in the commune, boldly proposed the idea and coordinated with the commune to establish a club. Receiving enthusiastic support from the People's Committee of the commune and the majority of people, since 2017, the Then singing - Tinh lute club was officially established.

Mr. Vi Van Tinh, Chairman of the Club, shared: “Since its establishment, the number of members has remained at around 30 people. At its peak, there were 40 people. Currently, there are 25 people. The oldest person is nearly 60 years old and the youngest is over 30 years old. Once a week, on the weekend, the Club organizes activities. We practice playing instruments and singing together. Here, young people and newcomers are taught by experienced people from the most basic things such as how to hold the instrument, choose the keys, tune the strings, to how to sing the lyrics, the melody of the song, how to perform on stage…”.

In addition to the regular schedule, on occasions when the locality has major events such as ethnic festivals; village and neighborhood art festivals or mass art performance competitions, etc., the club members discuss plans and organize many more carefully organized practice sessions. This activity attracts the response and participation of many local people, especially the younger generations.

Ms. Vi Thi Ngoc, born in 1993, said: “I am still not very proficient in playing the instrument and singing, but I practice very hard to hone my skills, nurture my passion, and practice to pass it on to the next generation. Because the number of artisans are all old and their health is more or less not strong. We feel responsible for preserving and maintaining the unique traditional art of the nation.”

According to Ms. Lai Thi Men, Vice Chairman of Trang Luong Commune People's Committee, Trang Luong is a mountainous commune with 70% of the population being ethnic minorities, of which the Tay ethnic group accounts for about 40%. And the folk art form of Then singing - Tinh lute of the Tay ethnic group is a unique folk art form that has been closely associated with the life of this ethnic group for generations. It is a harmonious and unique combination of Tinh lute, lyrics and performance; reflecting the quintessence of the thousand-year-old culture of the nation and bearing the characteristics of ethnic minorities in the northern mountainous region.

To avoid being lost, preserving and promoting the traditional values ​​of this art form is very necessary for Trang Luong commune. The development of the Then singing - Tinh lute club model gradually brings this art form closer to people's lives, thereby promoting economic development associated with local tourism. Therefore, as soon as the club started operating, the commune's cultural officers went to each house, arousing pride as well as connecting the core members who love cultural and artistic activities. At the same time, in coordination with the town and the Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism, classes were organized, inviting artisans to teach Then singing and Tinh lute to the people, thereby nurturing and educating the younger generation about the cultural identity of the Tay ethnic community in Trang Luong commune.

“In the coming time, the locality will continue to request authorities at all levels to create conditions to open Then singing - Tinh lute classes and Tay ethnic language classes for local students. Through that, we will continue to contribute to preserving and promoting the unique cultural values ​​of ethnic minority communities in Trang Luong commune,” said Ms. Men.

Hoang Anh