VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City Youth Cultural House and its partners recently launched a singing contest to encourage youth to dramatise epic stories of Viet Nam's historic events and heroes.

The Vietnamese Epic event aims to improve youth's knowledge about the country's history and culture, particularly traditional literature and music.

It attracted more than 400 people, mostly youngsters who listened to love songs before joining the competition.

Amateur performers have already participated in selective rounds, in solo, duet and group. The semi-finalists will compete in final rounds later this month.

Many performances staged by secondary and university students left a strong impression on the jury and audiences.

"I thought the competition was a game at first. But later I found my heart could go on after singing and listening to epics featuring Vietnamese history," said Nguyen Xuan Huong, a student of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School in District 3.

Like many of her colleagues, Huong spent time collecting and researching songs about Vietnamese history before she began singing.

"To perform well, we should improve our knowledge about the country's history and traditional culture," said Huong, who passed the last selective round last week, singing Ly Thuong Kiet and Hai Ba Trung, two songs about national heroes and their love for the country.

To prepare for her next performance, Huong said she would collect songs that portray the life and work of heroine Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, a revolutionary who sacrificed herself for the country's independence during the French war.

The Vietnamese Epic also includes a competition for contestants who do research on quality epics in languages by ethnic minority groups. The best works will be introduced in books and music albums.

"Our organisers invited a group of cultural researchers, historians, poets and musicians to join the programme's jury, which will decide which works will be selected," said musician Pham Dang Khuong, a member of the organising board.

"Through the event, we hope young people improve their love for the country and people", he added.

The singing contest's remaining qualifying rounds are taking place every weekend at the Youth Cultural House on Pham Ngoc Thach Street, District 1, HCM City.

(Source: Viet Nam News)