(VOVworld) – The first festival of ‘Don ca tai tu’ or the improvisational chamber music in southern Vietnam is taking place in Bac Lieu province until next Tuesday. The event is to praise the traditional musical genre, an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO last year.

Don ca tai tu was recognised as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO last year.

Themed “Love of the southern people and land”, the festival features efforts by southerners to preserve and promote the art form.  More than 20 activities have been organized including a national amateur singing contest, a photo exhibition, an exhibit highlighting traditional musical instruments, an inauguration of a museum dedicated to amateur singing and its famous composer Cao Van Lau, and a ceremony to receive UNESCO’s recognition certificate. Luu Long Vy is the director of Bac Lieu province’s culture center:“We have made careful preparations for the festival. Three months ago, the center developed a movement to practice amateur singing at the grassroots level, opened three community-based classes to teach the singing, practiced programs to be performed at the festival, and increased promotional activities.”

The event is expected to attract 3000 domestic and foreign visitors.