On the occasion of the company being awarded the world record for its contributions to the preservation and promotion of Quan ho singing, she shared about the years she has accompanied the club.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuc (fourth from right) and young members of BAGICO Club.

This year, BAGICO Club steps into its 11th year of operation. Are you optimistic about the club's development?

After 10 years of continuous operation, the club has built a widespread movement, nurturing thousands of young people in high schools. Many of them have become students in folk arts, winning many outstanding prizes in folk singing competitions. 

With the spreading and sustainable development of the programme, the Vietnam Record Association granted the Vietnam Record status to the programme and most recently, the BAGICO Camp has been recognised as a World Record for its positive contributions to the transmission, conservation and promotion of Quan Ho folk songs - the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in Vietnam during its 10 years of operation from 2008-2018.

With the attention of the local government and the accompanying of parents and the education sector, I believe that the sustainability of the programme and its significance will be increasingly spreading, not only for Quan ho folk singing but also for other types of traditional cultural arts.

As a business director, you have much to do, why do you pay attention to Quan ho folk singing and find ways to support and nurture it?

No matter what job or position is, each person has a spiritual life, a social responsibility and especially a passion for the homeland. Quan ho folk singing in particular and traditional culture, in general, is not only art but also history. No historical books can preserve it other than generations of people ... The preservation of national cultural identities and cultural heritage is the duty of each person and the responsibility of the previous generation towards the next generation.

According to you, what makes the appeal and vitality of this type of folk singing?

I sing not very well so I don't sing much, but I can know by heart and understand thoroughly hundreds of Quan ho folk songs thanks to my good musical sensibility. Not only loving folk songs, but I also learn about the history and lifestyle of people of Quan ho land, from very delicate and humanistic costumes to lyrics and melodies. Its creativity almost has no stops. People can compose words suitable to contexts according to the melodies easily.

On behalf of BAGICO Joint Stock Company, Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuc (second from left) is awarded the Vietnam record for the contributions to the preservation and promotion of Quan ho singing.

In my opinion, what makes the long-term vitality and value of this heritage are the community and generations of people who love and teach the songs to each other. Besides, with the attention of the state and international organizations, I believe that Quan ho folk songs will be long-lasting and spreading.

From the perspective of a businessperson, do they think Quan ho can be "profitable"?

Why not? Spiritual life is half of human life. When modern techniques and technologies are too developed, each person can create his/her own music videos on a completely virtual platform. When everyone knows those techniques, core values and traditional cultures are "specialties".

The cultural and artistic business in the tourism industry often uses cultural stories to promote regional products and brands ... Many countries have used this way very effectively, typically the Republic of Korea, China, Thailand and Mongolia. We should respect and make adequate investment in as well as effectively tap the intangible cultural heritage in general and Quan ho folk songs in particular.

Thank you!

Contemplation and spreading of Quan Ho folk song in northern Cau river

(BGO) – As the old word says “the date to come, the festival to return”, numerous visitors go on pilgrimage to Bo Da pagoda festival not only for religious rituals and ceremonies but also for the smooth and high-faluting melodies of Quan ho (Love duets folk song). The countryside in the northern Cau river gains its charm and beauty by such folk singing.

 

Savouring the beautiful melodies of ‘Quan Ho’ singing at Lim festival

In the soft spring drizzle on the first days of the lunar month, local amateur and professional Quan Ho (love duet) singers flocked to Tien Du district, Bac Ninh province to celebrate the annual Lim festival.

 

Southern Khmer folk singing festival opens in Soc Trang

The first Khmer folk singing festival of the Mekong Delta region opened in Soc Trang province on October 1, drawing more than 300 contestants, mostly students, amateur artists and artisans from regional localities.

 

Folk singing festival opens in Ha Tinh

The fifth festival featuring Vi and Giam folk singing of Nghe Tinh, named an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, kicked off in the central province of Ha Tinh recently. 

 

Then folk singing in the spotlight on Hanoi Old Quarter’s stage

A programme to promote Then folk singing of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic minority groups was held at Kim Ngan temple in Hanoi’s Old Quarter recently. 

 

Vietnamese folk singing genres seek UNESCO recognition

Xoan singing and Bai choi singing, two forms of Vietnamese folk music, are among 35 cultural heritages applying to be added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

 

Kim Hieu