HCMCITY— Four golden prizes were awarded to young finalists at the 1^st Tài Tử Music Festival for Children, called Búp Sen Vàng (Golden Lotus), which ended last Sunday at HCM City’s District 5 Cultural Centre.   

The finalists, aged 10-13, performed songs and instrumental pieces before 1,000 people.

The youngest winner, Nguyễn Ngọc Tâm, 9, with her strong voice and performance skills, performed Niềm Vui Đến Trường (Joy in School), a song praising the country, schools and teachers.

Twelve-year-olds Nguyễn Như Cường and Nguyễn Nguyệt Thu received a gold medal for their playing of the đàn kìm, a two-stringed guitar and đàn bầu (monochord).  

Nguyễn Hồng Bảo Ngọc, 13, impressed audiences singing Chú Lính Trường Sa (Soldiers in Trường Sa), a song featuring the beauty of Trường Sa (Spratly Islands) and its soldiers.

A special prize was presented to the youngest contestant, four-year-old Đào Minh Triết of the District 8 Cultural House.

The festival attracted more than 100 children under 15 years old from 26 cultural houses and centres around the city.

The young participants competed in four categories of solo, duo, trio and group during the three-day event. 

“Our festival aims to seek and help new young talents in tài tử develop their career. We will organise the festival every two years,” said Nguyễn Văn Minh, deputy director of the city’s Department of Culture and Sports, a member of the festival’s organising board.

Earlier this year, the department also organised a music writing contest to create songs and tài tử pieces for children.  

The 20 best works have been published and recorded on CDs for distribution in local primary schools and cultural houses for children.

Tài tử music is considered the prototype for vọng cổ (traditional tunes) and cải lương (reformed opera) of southern Việt Nam. It is a part of the region’s traditional music that began 100 years ago.

In 2013, the music was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by  UNESCO. — VNS