HAU GIANG Tai tu music troupes from 16 southern provinces have started competing in the Southern Tai Tu Festival in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta s Hau Giang Province.
The public interest in the festival testifies to the extensive local development of the art form, said the organisers, who hope that tai tu will be granted national cultural heritage status.
"I think little by little I can develop a career with the art form," My Tam, a 23 year old singer with the An Giang Troupe, said, adding "I perform at local parties, wedding receptions and death anniversaries."
"I will try my best, but I m confident my performance is at least on a par with the others this evening," she said.
She said she couldn t make enough money to survive on from singing, but she is committed to it because its been her passion since childhood.
"My family all love tai tu music, and they encourage me all the way," she said.
Each troupe is required to perform both singing and instrumental performance based on a repertoire of 20 essential songs and a myriad of vong co (nostalgic tunes).
Tai tu is an important part of southern cultural life and is usually performed among family or friends.
The festival held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism s Department will end tonight at the theatrical house in the provincial captital of Vi Thanh. VNS