(VOVworld) - A performance of Xam, the music of blind street performers in northern Vietnam in the early 20th century, took place at the Hanoi Opera House on Tuesday. Entitled “Xam and Life”, the show was divided into 3 parts: classic Xam songs, contemporary Xam-inspired songs, and the combination of Xam songs with modern music like jazz, hip-hop, and beatbox.

Xam singers and beatboxers share the stage. (Photo: VOV)

Emeritus artist Thanh Ngoan praised the show as a big success in reviving Xam singing, which was popular at trams, markets, and communal houses in the old days, on a modern stage. The effort demonstrated the respect of Xam artists for the folk genre. Ngoan said: “Through the performance, we want to make Vietnam’s traditional culture, especially Xam singing, more attractive to the youth through a wide range of activities, not just one show in one year.”

Xam singers perform contemporary Xam-inspired songs about current social issues.  (Photo: VOV)

At the end of the performance, the organizers awarded scholarships to some young artists who have a passion for learning, preserving, and promoting Xam singing.