The Place that “Keeps the Flame” of Xoan Singing

Recognizing the importance of grassroots cultural and artistic movements in building local cultural life, as well as preserving and promoting traditional cultural values in the area, in recent years, the Phu Tho Xoan Singing and Folk Music Club in Hung Lo Commune, Viet Tri City has maintained regular and effective activities, attracting a large number of participants. This has helped spread the value of Xoan Singing and traditional folk music across the community, asserting its place in modern life.

We visited the Xoan Singing and Folk Music Club in Hung Lo Commune when its members were busy rehearsing performances to serve tourists participating in community tourism experiences in the area. With the lively sound of drums and clappers, the members practiced energetically, immersing themselves in the simple yet heartfelt lyrics. Together, they created engaging and captivating performances, no different from professional artists. The special thing here is that these “folk artists” do not only attract audiences when performing on stage, but even during practice, the surrounding community members come to watch and cheer them on.

Enthusiastically enjoying the Xoan performances, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hai, a resident of Hung Lo Commune, shared: “I am 78 years old this year, but I really enjoy watching the performances of the Xoan Singing and Folk Music Club in Hung Lo Commune. The performances are always well-prepared, and the members perform with great passion, giving the audience a feeling of relaxation and tranquility. It creates a space for Xoan Singing that is both spiritual and secular... This has created an invisible bond among the people in the commune. So, whenever the Club performs, I and others in the commune always come to watch and cheer them on.”

The Xoan Singing and Folk Music Club in Hung Lo Commune was established in 2013 with 15 members. After a period of vibrant and effective activity, the Club now attracts more than 31 members, ranging from 40 to 62 years old, including 9 male members and the rest female. To maintain its activities, the members have voluntarily contributed to the fund and strengthened socialization efforts to purchase props and costumes for performances.

Mrs. Truong Thi Van, Vice Chairman of the Xoan Singing and Folk Music Club in Hung Lo Commune, said: “In the past, Xoan Singing was at risk of being lost. The Xoan Singing and Folk Music Club in Hung Lo Commune was formed, learning from the Xoan Singing artisans in the ancient Xoan villages of Kim Duc, Phuong Lau. Over time, this has created space for Xoan Singing in Hung Lo. Today, the Xoan Singing and Folk Music Club is not only a cultural exchange space that strengthens community bonds but also a base for preserving and promoting traditional artistic forms, contributing to the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Realizing this, the members of the Club have actively passed on the tradition to the younger generation, including students from local schools and their own children. Though each member has a different occupation, they all make an effort to arrange their time to practice traditional Xoan songs and folk music, contributing to the spiritual life of the people in the commune.”

In addition to regular rehearsals and cultural performances for the local people during the Party’s anniversary, the Lunar New Year, and major national holidays, the Club also participates in local festivals and performances, particularly for domestic and international tourists visiting the Hung Lo Village Communal House.

On average, the Club serves over 50 groups of visitors annually. All performances are created and performed by the Club’s members, with rich and diverse content, and incorporate messages promoting awareness of compliance with the Party and State’s policies and laws, praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the development of a prosperous, happy life, especially highlighting the art form of Xoan Singing – an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Anh Duong