The 2023 National Traditional Musical Instrument Solo and Orchestra Competition features performances by nearly 1,000 artists from 38 art troupes across Việt Nam. Photo toquoc.vn

NHA TRANG Nearly 1,000 artists from 38 art troupes across the country have gathered in Nha Trang City in the central province of Khánh Hòa to compete at the 2023 National Traditional Musical Instrument Solo and Orchestra Competition.

The contest is held jointly by the culture ministry's Department of Performing Arts, the Việt Nam Musicians' Association, and the provincial departments of culture, sports and tourism of Khánh Hòa and Hòa Bình.

It is taking place from June 10-14 in Khánh Hòa Province and from June 20 to 26 in the northern province of Hòa Bình.

“Việt Nam’s traditional musical instruments are very rich and diverse. These instruments have always developed with the cultural and spiritual life of the Vietnamese people, existing in the diversity and unity of Vietnamese culture while containing the spiritual values that bind the Vietnamese people together," Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tạ Quang Đông said.

“The competition provides an opportunity for traditional musical instrumentalists from art troupes, lecturers, and students from art training establishments to show their talents and share their experience.

“The event will also help to review the management and training of folk music, thus contributing to seeking solutions to further preserve and promote the value of music and traditional instruments.”

According to Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Khánh Hòa, Đinh Văn Thiệu, the competition is one of the outstanding artistic events in the locality in 2023.

“As a land with a 370-year history of formation and development, having over 385km of coastline, nearly 200 islands, beautiful bays and impressive melodies of the Khánh Sơn stone instruments, Khánh Hòa is a memorable destination for both domestic and international tourists," he said.

“Through this competition, the province expects to become the venue of more professional artistic events in the future, thereby preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Vietnamese people in general, and the images of the land and people of Khánh Hòa in particular.”

A performance by artists of the Hải Đăng Art Troupe opens the 2023 National Traditional Musical Instrument Solo and Orchestra Competition. Photo toquoc.vn

The contestants will compete in one of two categories, solo or orchestra, with each performance lasting from 20 to 35 minutes. The performances will be assessed by a judging panel consists of reputable and talented musicians, artists, researchers, and arts managers. VNS