Preserving the "soul" of Turkish culture.

(Baonghean) - In early 2015, among the 39 artisans nominated by the Ministry-level specialized council to the State-level council for recognition as "Outstanding Artisans" in the field of intangible cultural heritage of Nghe An province, was Artisan Truong Song Huong, from Son Tien hamlet, Tho Hop commune, Quy Hop mountainous district. Along with the title of "Folk Artisan," Mr. Truong Song Huong has received numerous Certificates of Merit and Commendations from various levels for his outstanding contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values.

For the Tho people, folk songs, folk dances, and musical instruments such as the zither, horn, flute, and two-stringed fiddle have become distinctive cultural features. However, these cultural activities, deeply rooted in their ethnic identity, are now facing the risk of disappearing.

Unable to accept this reality, day after day in Tho Hop commune, artisan Truong Song Huong continues to diligently create, collect, preserve, and teach folk melodies and traditional musical instruments.

Artist Truong Song Huong with his bầu instrument.

For about 10 years now, regardless of age, from elderly people to young men and women from the villages have gathered at Mr. Huong's house to learn the folk songs and dances of the Tho ethnic group. And Mr. Truong Song Huong has become a true "community artist" because of his influence on the community, stemming from his knowledge, passion, dedication, and respect for ethnic culture.

In 2006, when the Quy Hop District People's Committee received support from the Coordinating Board of the Finnish-funded project "Improving the Lives of Local Communities and Enhancing the Capacity of Local Organizations," Mr. Huong readily registered to participate in "free" classes and became the Chairman of the Tho Ethnic Folk Culture Club in Son Tien village, Tho Hop commune. This club has become a destination for those who love Tho culture.

Besides teaching folk songs and dances, Artisan Truong Song Huong has also made significant contributions to preserving the traditional musical instruments of the Tho ethnic group. Currently, he dedicates an entire room in his house to displaying over a dozen musical instruments such as the Tinh lute, horn, flute, and two-stringed fiddle... many of which are valuable artifacts that he himself collected and created. Thanks to this, nowadays, during festivals, celebrations, and even weddings, housewarming parties, and annual ethnic minority festivals, the ceremonial part is organized more systematically and elaborately than before, with folk songs and dances performed that reflect the rich traditions of the ethnic minority people.

Passionately researching, collecting, and restoring the festivals and customs of the Tho ethnic group, the family of artisan Truong Song Huong has now become a place to spread the beauty and richness of the traditional culture of the Tho people. He is affectionately called by the community the keeper of the "soul" of Tho culture.

Phan Giang