Khmer artists perform at the First Khmer Music and Dance Festival 2019 which opened in the Cửu Long (Mekong) River Delta province of Sóc Trăng. The eight-day event is part of the province’s cultural activities to celebrate the Khmer New Year Festival which falls on April 14, 15 and 16 this year. — VNA/VNS photo Trung Hiếu

SÓC TRĂNG — The First Khmer Music and Dance Festival 2019 has opened in the Cửu Long (Mekong) River Delta province of Sóc Trăng.

The event is part of the province’s cultural activities to celebrate the Khmer New Year Festival (Chol Chnam Thmay), which falls on April 14, 15 and 16 this year.
The festival has attracted 300 veteran and young artists from traditional art troupes and clubs from the regional provinces of Sóc Trăng, Trà Vinh, Kiên Giang, An Giang, Vĩnh Long, Bạc Liêu and Cà Mau.

The artists will perform in a wide variety of 125 cultural shows, music presentations and sport activities.

Visitors will be invited to dance with young people dressed in traditional clothes from other ethnic groups to learn more about Khmer art and culture.

The festival will highlight Dù Kê, a unique style of musical theatre created by the Khmer in the region.

Dù Kê originated in Trà Vinh in 1920 from local farmers who loved to sing. The art is a product of the creativity of the Khmer.

The performances will be staged by leading traditional theatres such as Ánh Bình Minh Traditional Art Troupe of Trà Vinh Province.

“In traditional Khmer clothes, our artists will sing, dance and stage plays based on the religions, traditional customs and culture of the Khmer,” said Nguyễn Văn Bốn, director of the Sóc Trăng Television & Radio Station, a member of the festival’s organising board.

 “Through our festival, we hope young people can learn about traditional art and discover their country's culture as well as learn useful lessons about love, life and people,” he said.

Sóc Trăng Province is home to over 397,000 Khmer people, who account for 30 per cent of the province;s population. They live mainly in Châu Thành, Long Phú, Mỹ Xuyên, Cù Lao Dung and Mỹ Tú districts.

In recent years, with assistance from the Party, State and the local government, the community has charted a path to progress, abolishing outdated practices, bringing development and prosperity to Khmer villages.

The First Khmer Music and Dance Festival 2019 will close on April 9. — VNS