Preserving and promoting the value of Xam singing art to serve tourism Contributing to positioning Ninh Binh destination

Ninh Binh is considered the cradle of the folk art of Xam singing with the great contribution of artist Ha Thi Cau, who is known as the last Xam singer of the 20th century. In the development orientation of the province in general and the development of Ninh Binh tourism in particular, the issue of preserving artistic values is raised, in which the art of Xam singing becomes an indispensable component. The preservation of the artistic value of Xam singing has been implemented early by Ninh Binh province with the goal of creating tourism products and contributing to positioning Ninh Binh tourism destination on the Vietnam tourism map.

According to statistics from the authorities, talented Xam artists are gradually entering their twilight years, then passing away one by one, forever taking with them the unique artistic values that they once preserved and practiced, especially when the "keeper of the Xam soul" - artist Ha Thi Cau passed away in 2013. However, after many ups and downs and more or less being forgotten and lost, Xam singing is being restored and revived by the enthusiasm and passion for traditional art of many artists. The content of Xam songs has become richer, in addition to praising the love of homeland, country, motherly love, fatherly love, social issues have been included in Xam to suit contemporary life. In Ninh Binh, Yen Mo is considered one of the cradles of Xam singing art and the hometown of the late famous Xam singing artist Ha Thi Cau.

Currently, Yen Mo has many Xam singing clubs operating, concentrated in Yen Phong, Yen Nhan, Yen Thanh, Yen Hoa communes, etc. with the participation of many people of all ages.

Talking to us, comrade Dang Thai Son, Chairman of Yen Mo District People's Committee said: In recent years, Yen Mo district has always paid attention to the work of preserving and promoting cultural and artistic values to serve tourist destinations and areas inside and outside the province. Accordingly, the district has focused on researching and collecting documents on Xam singing art, preserving and maintaining Xam singing melodies; promoting awareness and pride in the community, the responsibility of generations, especially in preserving and promoting the value of Xam singing; gradually turning Xam singing into a typical cultural tourism product, contributing to promoting socio-economic development in Yen Mo district in particular and Ninh Binh province in general.

According to statistics of Yen Mo District People's Committee, in the district, there are nearly 100 Cheo and Xam singing clubs, teams and groups established and operating in a disciplined and quality manner, with an average of over 30 members per club. The clubs, teams and groups have established operating regulations, regularly practice and exchange during local holidays and festivals and participate in competitions organized by the district and province. Typical communes such as Yen Phong, Khanh Thinh, Yen Tu, Yen Nhan, Yen Mac, Yen Hoa, Yen Dong, Khanh Thuong, Yen Thinh town, etc. have attracted many actors and musicians to practice and serve the public. The operating space of Cheo and Xam singing clubs is at the cultural houses of communes, villages and hamlets.

In recent times, the People's Committee of Yen Mo district has issued directive documents and opened Xam singing classes for students and members of Cheo and Xam singing clubs in the area during the summer. Every year, the district organizes a festival of Cheo and Xam singing clubs, attracting many participating teams with hundreds of performances.

From 2014 to present, Yen Mo district has opened 12 classes to teach Xam singing to the people, students and teachers of schools. To build a new generation of young musicians, the district has opened a class to teach how to use some main musical instruments commonly used in Xam singing (two-stringed fiddle, drum, senh...) for 40 people.

To preserve and promote the value of Xam singing art in developing tourism in Ninh Binh province, in the coming time, according to the Chairman of Yen Mo District People's Committee: The district has a plan to prioritize Xam singing to serve tourists, in festivals; periodically organize festivals, competitions, performances, cultural and artistic exchanges. Annually support professional expertise and operating costs for Xam singing and Cheo singing clubs. Plan to open teaching classes in the community. Develop a topic on Xam singing to include in extracurricular teaching in some primary, secondary and high schools.

In addition, to widely spread Xam singing in social life, the participation of the whole society is needed. Encourage organizations and individuals to contribute and sponsor the work of preserving and promoting the artistic value of Xam singing. At the same time, contribute to teaching and introducing the art form of Xam singing. Have appropriate policies to encourage and create conditions for Xam artists. Preserving and promoting the values of Xam singing art is not only the role of local authorities but also requires the active participation of the education sector.

In particular, Hoa Lu University needs to include Xam singing in training for students majoring in culture and tourism. Along with that, the Department of Education and Training needs to add books on the cultural field, especially documents on Xam singing in libraries of primary, secondary and high schools so that students have general knowledge about the art form of Xam singing.

Most importantly, in the process of preservation, Xam singing must restore a suitable traditional performance environment. Therefore, it is necessary to combine Xam singing with traditional festivals in the province. Through that, Xam singing has an outdoor performance environment with many people passing by, similar to the traditional performance environment. At the same time, through traditional festivals, Xam singing art form is promoted to the general public, linking Xam singing with tourism development so that domestic and foreign tourists have more opportunities to access this folk art form, thereby contributing to enriching the province's tourism products, contributing to the positioning of Ninh Binh tourism destinations.

Nguyen Thom

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