HA NOI (VNS)— Northern Phu Tho Province should incorporate xoan singing with the Hung Kings worship rite to better preserve it, cultural experts said yesterday at a conference in Ha Noi.

Participants discussed the province's plans to preserve xoan singing during 2013-20, and its intention to remove the ancient genre from UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in need of protection and preservation by 2015.

The province plans to have it widely practised by then. Already it has honoured 34 artisans, worked out a series of policies, established clubs to teach young people and will bring xoan singing into schools.

Xoan singing's link with the Hung Kings worship rite was highlighted by Viet Nam Folklore Arts Association chairman Professor To Ngoc Thanh and Heritage Department director Dang Van Bai, supported by other experts.

The province couldn't preserve the singing without thinking of its close relations with the Hung Kings worship rite, Thanh said.

Xoan singing appeared about 4,000 years ago, during the time of the Hung Kings. It usually took place in spring festivals, in front of communal houses. It is also called Hat cua dinh (singing in front of the communal house).

Xoan singing was organised not only to entertain villagers and honour the Hung Kings but also to pray for the likes of good weather and harvests, praise landscapes and depict work and daily activities in rural areas.

It is already being performed with the Hung Kings worship rite in historic relics.

The rite was recognised as UNESCO's intangible heritage of humans in February this year.

Experts suggested the province should focus on preserving the singing in its four most ancient xoan villages: Phu Duc, Thet, Kim Doi and An Thai.

It should also recognise the role of village artisans in the restoration and teaching of the old songs to younger generations.

Experts also urged the province to upgrade historic relic sites where artisans performed the singing. A 2012 survey showed that 16 of 30 vestiges have already been lost for ever due to wars and natural disasters. — VNS