At a recent Lunar New Year celebration hosted by the Union of Vietnamese in France (UGVF), these “Little Nightingales” captivated a crowd on the outskirts of Paris. Dressed in traditional long dress, these children sang with an enthusiasm transcending language barriers. Though many of them don’t speak Vietnamese fluently, and sometimes don’t fully grasp the lyrics, they delivered each song with remarkable clarity and heartfelt enthusiasm, earning rounds of applause and smiles all around.
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A performance by Choeur Tim choir at Vietnam cultural night in Versailles. |
Behind their success story was the dedication of Ngo Huong Giang, a lecturer at the Music Conservatory of Versailles Grand Parc, who founded the choir in March 2023.
With a vision of building a cultural bridge between Vietnam and France, Giang introduced these young talents to the beauty of Vietnamese folk music, a genre she holds dear and is passionate about sharing with the world.
Today, Choeur Tim boasts around 30 members aged 8-12, hailing from French, Franco-Vietnamese, and Vietnamese families, all united by their love for singing. Over the past two years, the choir has become a staple at cultural events across France, performing at venues hosted by the UGVF, the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Paris, the Vietnamese Embassy in France, and various local festivals.
Whether they are singing traditional Vietnamese folk songs or blending them with contemporary tunes in both Vietnamese and French, their performances radiate friendship, unity, and diversity, enriching the Francophone community with every note.
Looking ahead, Giang and her young talents have big plans. This year, they plan to expand reach through cultural, educational, and artistic collaborations, not just in Versailles and Paris but across other French localities. Their dream is to travel to Vietnam next year and perform in the land that inspired the soulful melodies they have come to love.
Source: VNA