Bac Giang hosts Chau Van singing festival
Update: Apr 21, 2014
Hundreds of artists from across the country gathered at a Chau Van (spiritual singing) festival held in the northern province of Bac Giang on April 19 by the Viet Nam Centre for Research and Conservation of Culture and Belief. 

Chau Van was created during the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400) and Nam Dinh province is considered its birthplace.

The highly rhythmic and trance-oriented form of singing often takes place during rituals to honour the Mother Goddesses and connect to other gods. It is performed mostly at temples and pagodas.

The music and poetry performed in the folk art are mingled with a variety of rhythms, pauses, tempos, stresses and pitches. The genre has also adopted folk songs from the highlands of the north, centre and south.

Last year, Chau Van singing was recognised as National Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is seeking UNESCO recognition as intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

VNA