An art performance at the event. VNA/VNS Photo

PARIS An art programme was held in Paris last weekend to mark the 15th founding anniversary of Quê Hương (Homeland) Choir, the largest and only Vietnamese-languague singing choir overseas.

Born in April 2009, the choir aims to gather Vietnamese people with the same passion for singing and loving revolutionary songs. It now has 250 members of different age groups.

Nguyễn Thị Ngân Hà, the founder of the choir, said: "Choral singing is an art form that features people who enjoy singing revolutionary songs and yearning for the country.

"While the singing technique may not be professional or perfect, everyone finds those songs appealing and touching when singing them. When raising their voices, people all think about their homeland, and that is also the reason why we chose the name Homeland Choir."

After 15 years, the Homeland Choir is the only Vietnamese-language choral ensemble abroad that regularly takes part in international choral festivals and cultural events of the Vietnamese community in France as well as Europe.

Appreciating the Homeland Choir’s contributions to promoting Vietnamese culture at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Vietnamese Ambassador to UNESCO Nguyễn Thị Vân Anh affirmed that it is a typical example of multicultural exchange, helping promote the culture, country, and people of Việt Nam to international friends and the Vietnamese community in France.

On this occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador Đinh Toàn Thắng presented the ambassador’s Certificate of merit to the choir in recognition of its contributions. VNA/VNS