HA NOI (VNS) — Research on southern folk music (don ca tai tu) by a teacher from Long An Province, Vo Truong Ky, won the Viet Nam Folk Arts and Letters Association's highest award this year.

According to Prof To Ngoc Thanh, chairman of the association, Ky's work provided comprehensive information on the art's origins, history, genres and distinguished performers for other researchers who are working on making a scientific dossier of the art. The researchers will submit don ca tai tu for UNESCO recognition on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Thanh said that the more than 90 research works submitted for the annual awards focused on monitory ethnic groups. Titles of the papers include: Legends on Families of Ta Oi Ethnic Group, Traditional Culture of Thuy Group in Tuyen Quang Province, Popular Quiz of Ba Na People in Gia Lai Province, Marriage of Brau Group in Viet Nam, and Traditional Culture and Legends of Pa Hi Group in Thua Thien Hue Province.

Earlier this year, the association gave the honourable title of Art Master and Artisan to nine folk art practitioners across the country who have handed down traditional songs, instruments, ceremonies and languages to younger generations. — VNS