An exhibition to mark the 10th year anniversary of quan họ (love duet singing) receiving the title of intangible cultural heritage of humanity from UNESCO is opening in the northern province of Bắc Ninh.

A quan họ singer (right) introduces artefacts related to folk music in Bắc Ninh Province. 

With the theme Dân ca Quan họ Bắc Ninh - Truyền thống và Đương đại (Quan họ Bắc Ninh-Traditional and Contemporary), the exhibition is being held by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It is displaying 500 photographs, documents and artefacts related to folk music at the Bắc Ninh Province Museum.

Photos of various historical and cultural relics including Diềm Temple, Vua Bà Temple, Ngọc Well and Quan Họ Communal House are also exhibited.

As part of the exhibition, a programme called Không Gian Văn Hóa Quan Họ (Quan họ Culture Space) will introduce various forms of quan họ folk songs, which have long been popular among local people in the province.

Students learn about items used during quan họ performances 

Organisers said the event was designed not only to promote public awareness of the preserving quan họ as an important cultural practice, but also to promote Bắc Ninh Province and show its achievements in culture and tourism.

It is also a chance to honour folk singers specialising in quan họ Bắc Ninh. — VNS