BÌNH DƯƠNG – More than 5,000 local people and visitors joined a traditional musical performance to open the second National Tài Tử Music Festival in the Bình Dương Province’s Bình Dương New City on Saturday night.

Directed by veteran composer Đinh Trung Cẩn, the performance featured tài tử music, 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 about 100 years ago.

Vọng cổ and cải lương were also presented in the opening ceremony in front of the Bình Dương Administration Central Building.

The show included hundreds of performers from arts troupes in 21 provinces in the southeast and Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta regions.

During the night, organisers Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Bình Dương Province honoured 70 performers and researchers who have made great contributions to preserving and promoting tài tử music.

Speaking at the ceremony, Trần Thanh Liêm, chairman of the province’s People’s Committee, said "The festival aims to honour tài tử music, which was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2013, and to call for the community to preserve and promote the art form as well."

Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện, minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said "The festival will contribute to raise people’s awareness in the need to preserve a national cultural heritage. It is also a chance to promote the country’s culture and tourism."

The five-day festival includes stalls to introduce activities promoting tài tử music in 21 provinces and tourism products related to the art form.

Performers will tour around Bình Dương Province, offering free performances for local residents.

An exhibition showcasing 500 photos about tài tử music in the daily lives of people in southern Việt Nam is opening at the Bỉnh Dương Convention and Exhibition Centre.

A workshop, singing contest and song-composing contest will also be held during the festival.

The second National Tài Tử Music Festival will close on April 12 with a special performance and fireworks display. – VNS