Attending at the event were PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, leaders and representatives of minitries, departments, provincial local authorities, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative in Vietnam Michael Croft.
Addressing the ceremony, on behalf of the Party and State, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc highlighted the preservation of the folk singing genre and congratulated peoples of central provinces of Binh Dinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang City, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa where Bai Choi singing is very popular.
He also highly appreciated outstanding contribution of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, the National Council for Cultural Heritages, scientists, local and international organizations to the protection and promotion of the Bai Choi in the central coastal region as well as Vietnamese and human cultural heritages.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked local authorities and peoples of 9 provinces and cities along with artisans, artists to carry out performances of preserving and nurturing the kind of traditional art and implement the National Action Plan for protection and promotion of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Chairman of the People’s Committee of Binh Dinh province, Ho Quoc Dung said that 9 central provinces under the guidance by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism will build Bai Choi singing preservation and promotion project in the 2018-2023 period.
Bai Choi singing has been added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in the 12th session of the UNESCO Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Jeju, the Republic of Korea (RoK), on December 7.
Bai Choi’ is a folk game that originated in the central region and has recently attracted many foreign visitors to the ancient town of Hoi An and southern central region.
‘Bai choi’ singing while playing cards is an ancient traditional activity during Tet Lunar New Year in the central region.
For a small amount of money, players receive a bamboo card. On the card is a traditional ideograph with a specific name. To start the game, the MC lifts his or her bamboo vase of sticks and pulls one out. He or she then recites a poem or sings a folk song. The last word of the song suggests the name of one of the cards the audience has picked. Players with the right card receive a small silk flag. After nine songs, if you have a card with three right names, you are declared a winner.
Bai Choi singing artists receive flowers in the ceremony. (Photo: Sggp)
