This year’s festival features several ca tru (traditional ceremonial singing) clubs and artists from mostly northern localities like Hanoi, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Haiphong, Hung Yen, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa, Thai Binh, and Vinh Phuc. It is noted that artists from HCMC will also be joining the event.
The participants will come up with their own performances that can last up to 30 minutes, the organizer will judge the performances based on five criteria, including ca tru vocal, ca tru instrument, potential ca tru vocalists, and potential ca tru instrumentalists.
Besides usual form of performing ca tru, participants will also have to perform five out of the 15 classical melodies of ca tru. The organizers also encourage participating clubs and audiences to perform newly recovered and newly discovered melodies.
Ca tru originated from folk music along with folk dancing and folk performances. Its early form came about in the early 11th century, and became more popular by the 15th century, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that ca tru was first recognized through vocal of artist Quach Thi Ho (1909 – 2001).
Through time and the ups and downs of history, up to now, ca tru has reached a new height in visual arts, confirming its importance not only to Vietnam but also to the world’s heritage. On October 1, 2009, ca tru was officially listed by UNESCO as cultural heritage in need of preservation.
Đăng ký: VietNam News
