Recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, Then singing- Tinh gourd lute is popular in villages across Lang Son province, which has recently opened classes to teach Then singing to people with disabilities.
The Then singing – Tinh gourd lute class for disabled people living in Lang Son City and neighboring districts is organized by the Lang Son Culture and Art Center and the provincial Disabled People Association.
Dam Thi Na, whose legs have been paralyzed since she was small, has participated in the class for a long time.
“All members of the Disabled People Association love the club for Then singing and Tinh gourd lute. The art form has encouraged us to overcome life’s difficulties. We know that it is one of Lang Son’s traditions and needs to be preserved and promoted. I want to learn to sing the wonderful Then songs and participate in exchange programs with neighboring localities,” said Na.
Then singing in Lang Son is famous for having joyful, jubilant melodies. Throughout the region, Then is previously sung and the ancient Tinh lute is played at religious rituals, spring festivals, and ceremonies to pray for rain, bumper crops, and the maturity of young men.
The lyrics of the ancient and new Then songs are simple and very close to daily life, use onomatopoeia, and feature love of nature and homeland, romantic love, and hope for good weather.
Singing Then songs and playing the Tinh lute isn’t easy even for ordinary people, let alone the disabled.
Hoang Viet Binh, who is Deputy Chairman of Lang Son’s Folk Song Conservation Association and the class’s teacher, said “Although they are people with disabilities, they have done their best to learn them singing, which needs to be preserved and developed. We should promote it more domestically and internationally.”
In recent years, regular Then singing and Tinh gourd lute festivals have led to the establishment of hundreds of Then singing clubs in Lang Son.
Meritorious artist Trieu Thuy Tien, considered the “fire keeper” of the region’s folk singing, said “I think the key to developing Then singing is to make sure it is loved by many people.
The provincial Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and several Sponsor Centers for the Disabled have worked with the club to set up groups of Then singing fans. It is a sign that Then singing is becoming more popular.”
