Viet Nam News
HA NOI —Xoan singing from the northern province of Phu Tho has been added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
The decision was announced on Friday during UNESCO’s 12th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, held on South Korea’s Jeju Island. In 2011, xoan singing had been listed as cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
After six years strictly ensuring its commitments to UNESCO, the community and authorities in Phu Tho Province compiled files to submit to UNESCO. At Friday’s session, 24 states on the Intergovernmental Committee said they appreciated the province’s efforts in preserving the heritage and upgraded the art form.
Xoan singing is the eleventh heritage item to be listed in Viet Nam. The others include the art of bai choi in central Viet Nam; practices related to the Viẹt beliefs in the mother goddesses of three realms; tug-of-war rituals and games; vi and giam folk sings of Nghe Tinh; the art of don ca tai tu music and song in southern Viet Nam; worship of Hung Kings in Phu Tho; Giong festival of Phu Dong and Soc Temples; quan ho Bac Ninh folk songs; nha nhac, Vietnamese court music and space of gong culture.
Viet Nam also has ca tru singing inscribed on the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
UNESCO’s recognition of Viet Nam’s xoan singing and the art of bai choi have important meanings in promoting the nation’s diversified cultures.
Like other previous recognised heritages, the new inclusions will create more favourable conditions for the socio-economical and cultural development of the heritage regions.
Attending the meeting, deputy minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and also vice-president of UNESCO Viet Nam, Dang Thi Bich Lien, and representatives of the provinces with recognised heritages agreed on specific plans to preserve heritage, integrating them into community’s daily life and promoting Viet Nam’s unique culture among international friends.
Xoan singing is practised in Phu Tho Province, often during the first two months of the lunar year. Traditionally, singers perform songs in sacred spaces such as temples, shrines and communal houses for the spring festivals.
There are three forms of xoan singing: worship singing for the Hung kings and village guardian spirits; ritual singing for good crops, health and luck, and festival singing where villagers alternate male and female voices in a form of courtship. — VNS