Lim Festival is annually held in the northern province of Bắc Ninh from the 10th to 13th Lunar month. VNA Photo Thanh Thương

BẮC NINH - Crowds of local and visitors have flocked to Tiên Du district in the northern province of Bắc Ninh to attend the Lim festival that opened on February 9.

The annual event is dedicated to quan họ (love duet singing) recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Lim Festival features traditional rituals such as an incense offering, an ordination certificate procession, and ceremonial offerings.

Beyond the formal ceremonies, the festival’s lively festivities take place at Lim Hill and surrounding areas, with highlights including quan họ folk singing performances, calligraphy demonstrations, poetry recitals, and exhibitions displaying historical documents and artifacts that celebrate the heritage of quan họ.

Love duet singing is an art form combining various elements, including music, lyrics, costume and a unique style of singing the reflects theclose relationship between singers.

Performances of love duet songs are made by liền anh (male singer) and liền chị (female singers), who are ordinary people hailing from different villages.

On September 30, 2009, quan họ folk singing of Bac Ninh was officially inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Quan họ has evolved with a revitalised charm, blending its traditional essence with contemporary relevance. - VNA/VNS