HÀ NỘI — The ongoing Asia-Europe New Music Festival 2018 in Hà Nội is an occasion for international artists to learn about Việt Nam’s people, culture and the tradition of Vietnamese music, said Việt Nam’s Vice State President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh.

Speaking to the international artists, the Vice President said the festival, themed the “Asia-Europe Musical Bridge”, is a forum for representative compositions by contemporary musical composers and artists worldwide and a platform to introduce Vietnamese musical achievements to international audiences.

She added the event would help reinforce relations between Vietnamese artists and their international colleagues.

Thịnh confirmed that Vietnamese were peace- and music-loving people. Poetry and music have always accompanied and nurtured Vietnamese souls in promoting their strength and determination to preserve and uphold the national culture, contributing to protecting and developing the nation.

Việt Nam takes pride in its musical heritage with a variety of musical forms from 54 ethnic minorities nationwide, she said.

“However, due to its historical, social and geographical features, Việt Nam’s professional music industry is still young in comparison with those of the Western countries,” Thịnh said. “Despite many difficulties, authorities has always offered proper support and investment so Vietnamese artists, especially young ones, can develop.”

“They have done this by establishing the Việt Nam Musicians’ Association and opening professional training centres like the Việt Nam National Academy of Music and the Việt Nam National Symphony Orchestra, with the aim of establishing a professional and academic music industry with a focus on composing, performing and the public’s enjoyment,” Thịnh said.

The Vice President said she hoped Việt Nam would continue to strengthen international musical exchange in order to enrich new national musical achievements and contribute to the musical culture of the world.

Confirming that expanding international relations in culture has always been supported by the State and the Party, Thịnh said the ongoing festival was a lively demonstration of integration and building common musical culture between Asian and European countries.

She also expressed her hope that this year’s festival would be a meaningful art platform, and that each participating artist would be a musical ambassador and contributor to turning the event into a festival of peace and development.

According to musician Đỗ Hồng Quân, chairman of the Việt Nam Musicians’ Association, over 70 compositions would be performed in seven concerts within the five-day festival. The compositions are classified into the genres of symphony, choral, opera, chamber and traditional folk performances.

The Asia-Europe New Music Festival 2018 will run until November 28. — VNS