Thai Binh: Efforts to preserve and promote the art of Ca Tru singing

Nowadays, in contemporary society, the art of Ca Tru singing appears more and more, which has helped the public increasingly love this traditional art form. Through that, the art of Ca Tru singing is being cared for, restored and honored by the whole society.

That is the information in the report on the status of protecting the heritage of Ca Tru singing in the UNESCO Urgent List for the period 2022 - 2025 that the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thai Binh province recently sent to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Ca Tru singing was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection in 2009. This is the world cultural heritage with the largest area of ​​influence in Vietnam, spanning across 16 northern provinces, and Thai Binh province is one of the 16 provinces with the spread of Ca Tru singing.

In the past, Ca Tru singing was not well-known and loved by many people because they felt that this was a form of singing and dancing with scholarly and unique folk characteristics, so Ca Tru art was lost for many decades. Nowadays, in contemporary society, Ca Tru singing appears more and more, making people love Ca Tru singing more and more, that is why Ca Tru singing art is being cared for, restored and honored by the whole society.

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According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thai Binh province, if compared with the number of people who know how to play and sing Ca Tru in Thai Binh province in the period of 2021, in the period of 2022-2025, the number of people who know how to play and sing Ca Tru has changed and increased. Although the increase is not too much, this is also a good sign for the movement of activities and development in Thai Binh. The number of Ca Tru singing clubs also increased by 01 club compared to the period of 2021.

Specifically, Since 2007, Thai Binh province has established and maintained 04 Ca Tru singing clubs, and by 2023, 01 more Ca Tru club will be established, including: Ca Tru singing club of the provincial cultural center with 10 female singers, 01 male singer and 01 drum player regularly performing and practicing; Ca Tru singing club of Hong Thai commune, Kien Xuong district, Thai Binh province with 06 female singers and 01 male singer; Ca Tru singing club of Binh Dinh commune, Kien Xuong district, Thai Binh province with 15 female singers and male singers; Ca Tru singing club of Tien Hai district, Thai Binh province; In 2023, the provincial cultural center established a Ca Tru singing club with 30 members regularly performing and practicing.

In addition, today, the art heritage of Ca Tru singing is practiced more frequently. Clubs regularly practice and actively participate in performances. In 2023, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Plan No. 65/KH-SVHTTDL to organize classes to teach the art of Ca Tru singing. The Department invited lecturers who are Ca Tru singing artists at the Hai Phong City Traditional Folk Club to participate in teaching (03 artists: 01 artist teaching singing and rhythm wood, 01 artist teaching Dan Day and 01 artist teaching Chau drum).

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However, according to the report of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thai Binh province, the Ca Tru Singing Clubs were established but their performance efficiency was not high, they did not maintain regular activities, but mainly organized practice when there were programs to serve festivals, conferences, and participate in competitions and performances. The number of artisans with the ability to teach is very small and is at risk of fading away over time without being able to pass on all the techniques and skills of Ca Tru singing to the younger generation. Moreover, in the current socio-economic conditions, young people tend to pay less attention to the traditional cultural values ​​of the nation, including the art of Ca Tru singing.

This is a difficulty in developing the next generation. The human resources for teaching and practicing Ca Tru heritage in the Clubs are both lacking and weak, not meeting the necessary requirements for preserving and promoting the value of Ca Tru heritage.

Thereby, realizing the role of Ca Tru in social life, the meaning and importance of heritage, including the task of preserving and promoting the traditional cultural capital of the locality, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thai Binh has organized and implemented activities to restore, preserve and promote the art of Ca Tru singing in the whole province such as: Implementing mechanisms and policies on treatment for artisans. Honoring and having policies on treatment for artisans practicing the heritage of Ca Tru singing; Honoring individuals, groups, and clubs with achievements and experience in practicing the heritage of Ca Tru singing;

Organize classes to teach the intangible cultural heritage of Ca Tru singing, increase the number of practitioners as well as increase the number of clubs; Continue to promote and advertise Ca Tru singing art on mass media, through cultural and artistic events, competitions, festivals, performances, and domestic activities; Continue to inventory, research, document, and digitize heritage through forms such as: Survey, investigation, collection, interview, and recording of information related to Ca Tru singing art from artisans..../.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/thai-binh-no-luc-bao-ton-va-phat-huy-nghe-thuat-hat-ca-tru-20250625142453029.htm