Preserving the art of Then singing and Tinh lute, a type of national cultural heritage

(Chinhphu.vn) - In the vast space of the Vietnam Ethnic Culture Village, where the sounds of various ethnic groups blend together, Then singing and Tinh lute melodies resound, carrying the breath of heaven and earth. Through many generations, the simple Then lyrics and Tinh lute sounds have become a unique cultural feature, containing profound spiritual values ​​and the pride of an entire community.

Cultural preservation is not only about preserving heritage but also about spreading values, helping the younger generation feel and appreciate the priceless spiritual values ​​of their nation. Photo: VGP/ Minh Thuy

Preserve from the heart and spread with national love

Amidst the ups and downs of life, at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture, there is an artisan who quietly and persistently preserves and passes on the quintessence of this unique folk art form. That is Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Thi Xuyen - who is not only passionate about Then singing and Tinh playing, but also considers this a lifelong career, a responsibility and love for national culture.

Each note of the Tinh instrument soothes the listener's soul, taking them into the mysterious space of Tay ethnic culture. When the Then sound resounds, the space seems to light up, the love for the homeland of the Tay people is present through each song, each lyric, making the listener's heart feel like it is connected to the earth and sky, with profound cultural values.

Recalling her first days of exposure to traditional music , Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Xuyen of the Tay ethnic group (Thai Nguyen) shared: "As a child, I grew up listening to the singing of my grandmother and mother, and the sound of the Tinh instrument echoing throughout the village. Those sounds were so natural and familiar that I never thought I would have to preserve them. But then when I realized that fewer and fewer people remembered those melodies, I was determined to learn and become someone who preserves and teaches Then singing and Tinh instrument."

National culture cannot be just a thing of the past, but must live forever in the hearts of every Tay person. That is the reason why I am determined to preserve and maintain the traditional cultural values ​​of my people," the Meritorious Artist confided in a deep, deep, and responsible voice.

Then singing and Tinh lute are not only simple songs or melodies, but also contain profound cultural and spiritual values, preserving stories, legends and lessons about life and nature. In particular, Tinh lute with its special high and low sounds always plays an important role in festivals and rituals of the Tay people. Then singing and Tinh lute are not just simple musical performances, but are the connection between the past and the present, between generations, between the Tay people and friends from all over.

Those songs are not only music, but also the connecting thread between cultures, between the individual and the common in the big family of Vietnamese ethnic groups.

In 2023, Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuyen was honored to be awarded the title of Meritorious Artisan - a worthy recognition for her contributions to preserving and promoting national cultural values. But for her, that title is not only a personal glory but also a source of motivation for her to continue contributing to art and the community.

"It is an honor, but I understand that my responsibility is even greater. I not only want to preserve it for myself, but also want to teach it to future generations, so that these values ​​will not be lost," Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Xuyen expressed with sparkling eyes filled with hope and responsibility for passing on the art of Then singing and Tinh lute.

Spreading the value of Then singing in the community

Then singing and Tinh lute are folk art forms with a long history, closely associated with the spiritual life of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups. With awareness of the importance of preserving heritage, those who love the art of Then singing have made constant efforts to preserve and promote the value of Then tinh.

Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Xuyen has devoted herself to imparting Then singing and Tinh lute to the younger generation, arousing love and pride in the cultural heritage of the Tay people. Photo: VGP/ Minh Thuy

Preservation is not only about keeping Then melodies or Tinh lute sounds, but also a vivid journey, a spread from heart to heart, a passing on to the next generations a deep love for the cultural heritage of our ancestors. Those values ​​are not only priceless assets but also the soul of each nation, the core that connects each person to their roots, to the motherland.

"It cannot be preserved mechanically. Culture must be alive, must be integrated into contemporary life without losing its identity. This can only be done when the younger generation understands and loves their culture," Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Xuyen shared.

With that passion, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Xuyen opened classes on Then singing and Tinh lute techniques, while also instilling in everyone a deep love for the nation's cultural heritage.

Those classes are not only places to impart knowledge but also spaces to connect souls, where each Then melody and each Tinh sound seeps into the flesh and blood of every young generation, so that they can feel the eternal beauty of traditional music.

Along with that, she also constantly promotes cultural exchange activities, organizes performances at cultural seminars, at art festivals, making Then singing and Tinh lute not only preserved in the hearts of the Tay people but also spread to the world , reviving Vietnamese cultural values ​​in the eyes of international friends.

Traditional music is a solid bridge connecting people, helping them understand each other better, understand the common values ​​of humanity. Because only when culture is continued, not only lives in memory but also reaches far in the hearts of each person, when each person knows how to love and protect the original values, then that heritage can truly exist sustainably.

Then singing and Tinh lute are two cultural heritages of the Tay people, not only wonderful melodies and sounds, but also the heartbeat of a nation, an indispensable part of the spiritual life of every Tay person and a symbol of the longevity and sustainability of a national culture.

For Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Xuyen, Tay ethnic music is a heritage that needs to be preserved, an endless source of inspiration, a flame that lights up national pride, a "bridge" connecting the past with the present and the future. Through each Then singing melody, through each Tinh lute sound, Tay ethnic culture will never fade away. National culture will forever be in the hearts of those who love and cherish the heritage of the nation and spread widely, becoming a priceless asset of humanity.

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/gin-giu-nghe-thuat-hat-then-dan-tinh-di-san-van-hoa-dan-toc-102250113165034967.htm