PARIS – An event titled “Bắc Ninh - Kinh Bắc Cultural Night” was held in Paris to promote cultural values of the northern province of Bắc Ninh which is often referred to as Kinh Bắc – a land with long history and ancient culture in Việt Nam.

Quan họ ( love duet) singing performance at the event. — Photo: baovanhoa.vn

The event was organised by the Vietnamese Permanent Delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the People's Committee of Bắc Ninh province, the Vietnamese Embassy in France and the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in France to mark the 15th anniversary of UNESCO recognition of Bắc Ninh Quan Họ (love duet) singing as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2009-2024).

The event saw the participation of nearly 200 people, including about 30 ambassadors of countries to UNESCO, representatives from French agencies and organisations, diplomatic missions and international organisations based in Paris and Vietnamese associations in France.

Participants had a chance to enjoy and learn about Quan Họ singing and Đông Hồ painting – two typical cultural values of Kinh Bắc.

Previously, Kinh Bắc consisted of Bắc Giang province and Đông Anh and Long Biên districts of Hà Nội. The region is associated with several legends and is considered the cradle of the Đại Việt civilisation.

Located in the centre of the Red River Delta, Kinh Bắc is blessed with fertile land, beautiful landscapes and favourable conditions for economic and cultural exchanges with other localities throughout the country.

Since the early years before Christ, the region was one of the cradles of the wet rice civilization and the founding place of the Đại Việt civilisation. Kinh Bắc is also famous nationwide for its folk festivals, especially Quan Họ singing, an art form that combines various elements, including music, lyrics and costumes, and features the distinctive culture of people in the region formerly called Kinh Bắc.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Nguyễn Thị Vân Anh, Permanent Representative of Việt Nam to the UNESCO, affirmed that Việt Nam always pays attention to protecting intangible cultural heritage and promoting cultural heritage values associated with sustainable development.

As a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 term and currently the Vice Chairman of the committee, Việt Nam has been strengthening cooperation with other member countries and relevant parties to promote the implementation of the convention, she said. — VNA/VNS