PhuthoPortal - With a burning passion for Xoan singing, Xoan singing artists on the land of origin of the nation have devoted their entire lives to learning, preserving and promoting the beauty of this representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, so that the heritage will forever resonate and spread more and more in the community.

Artist Nguyen Thi Chuong: More than 50 years of dedication to Xoan singing

With her quick manner and kind face, no one would think that artist Nguyen Thi Chuong (Xoan An Thai ward) is 70 years old this year. After more than 50 years of being attached to Xoan singing, her love for her homeland's songs has not only not faded but has also become more passionate and deeper.
Born in 1955 in Zone 6, Phuong Lau Commune, Viet Tri City, at the age of 19, artist Nguyen Thi Chuong followed the actors and actresses of the Xoan troupe to practice singing. Growing up, she could sing all the Xoan melodies and sang them all well. The more she sang, the more she understood and appreciated the profound meanings of the ancient Xoan verses. When she understood, mastered and practiced the ancient Xoan melodies and performances, Ms. Chuong and the actors and actresses of the An Thai Xoan troupe performed in many localities across the country and in many major events of the province. She shared: After more than 50 years of being attached to Xoan singing, the happiest thing is to bring Xoan singing - an intangible cultural heritage representing humanity, a unique feature of her homeland - to perform in provinces and cities. Every time we stand on stage, being welcomed by the audience, listening attentively and passionately, immersing ourselves in the singing, we are very excited.


Despite the many difficulties in life, Ms. Chuong and the artisans of Xoan An Thai are still determined to preserve their heritage. Most of the artisans of Xoan An Thai are farmers and Ms. Chuong is no exception. During the day, they are farmers, but in the afternoon, they transform into Xoan actors and actresses, ready to perform when tourists or art troupes visit. In addition to performing, she also diligently teaches Xoan singing to the younger generation. Her son, artisan Bui Duc Thanh, is currently the core of Xoan An Thai, and her grandchildren are also continuing the family tradition. With her great contributions, in 2019, Ms. Nguyen Thi Chuong was awarded the title of Meritorious Artisan.
Artist Bui Thi Ha: Xoan singing is as close as flesh and blood
Growing up in the cradle of Xoan melodies, artist Bui Thi Ha “fell in love” with Xoan from a very young age. She said: Since I was little, I listened to and followed the elders in the village to Sing Xoan at An Thai communal house. I grew up with simple Xoan melodies, listening and singing along with the ladies, and then fell in love with Singing Xoan without realizing it.
Trained by artist Nguyen Thi Lich - Head of Xoan An Thai guild, Ms. Ha has spent nearly 40 years learning and practicing 31 ancient Xoan songs. For Ms. Ha, Xoan singing is not only an art but also a part of life. "Xoan singing is as close as flesh and blood, as familiar as eating rice every day, an art that cannot be separated from life" - she confided.


Together with the veteran artisans of Xoan An Thai ward, Ms. Ha has actively participated in performing activities, teaching the next generation, music teachers and students in Viet Tri city, contributing to the maintenance and development of this cultural heritage. Thanks to her continuous contributions, in 2019, she was awarded the title of Meritorious Artisan.
Artist Bui Thi Ha shared: Xoan singing is often performed in communal houses, associated with collective activities that are very close to the people, the melodies are rustic, simple and easy to perform, so it is easy for learners to absorb... Xoan singing includes communal house singing and festival singing. When singing at communal houses, the rhythm and lyrics are short, not slurred, and must be solemn, while when singing at festivals, it is necessary to use the style of responding singing, singing with slurred love songs, and dancing and singing cheerfully.
It can be seen that the Xoan singing artists of Phu Tho are the silent but persistent “fire keepers”, making an important contribution to the preservation and promotion of the value of this intangible cultural heritage. With love, passion and perseverance, they not only preserve the ancient melodies, but also teach them to the younger generation, helping Xoan singing to spread more and more deeply in the cultural life of the community. It is their dedication that has created the strong vitality of Xoan singing, so that this heritage continues to resonate, becoming the pride of Phu Tho homeland and of humanity.
Huyen Trang
Source: The keepers of Xoan melodies