The restoration of Lai Len Temple, which is believed to be attached to the origin of Xoan singing, was officially completed and inaugurated on March 28 in Viet Tri city, Phu To province.
Work to restore the temple, which covers 1.7 hectares in Kim Duc commune, started in November, 2015.
In addition to a worshipping space and surrounding facilities, the temple is located inside a 300 s.q.m exhibition house which displays documents, photos, and objects relating to Phu Tho’s Xoan singing. A screen introducing Xoan singing performances was also set up inside the exhibition house.
According to Vice Chairman of Phu Tho provincial People’s Committee Ha Ke San, the restoration and upgrade of the temple aimed to create a space to meet the spiritual and cultural demands of local people while illustrating efforts made by provincial Party committee, authorities and artisans in preserving and promoting the treasured value of Xoan singing.
He asked for the establishment of a managing board for the site, which should create the most favorable conditions for Xoan artists and Xoan singing troupes to practice and perform at the temple, making Lai Len an attractive tourist site for visitors to Viet Tri city.
An exhibition opened at the temple on the occasion, showcasing hundreds of documents, photos and objects on Xoan singing.
Xoan singing originated in Phu Tho province, and is practised in front of communal halls at spring festivals. It is said to have appeared about 4,000 years ago, during the time of the legendary Hung Kings.
UNESCO listed Xoan singing as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritages in need of urgent protection in 2011. After four years of being listed as in urgent need of protection, Vietnam last year submitted a report to UNESCO to reclassify the traditional practice from the list, to simply being an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Source: en.nhandan.com.vn
