poetry

Battles of Bắc Ninh - Folk Music Edition

Battles of Bắc Ninh - Folk Music Edition

Imagine a rap battle, between two competing, freestyling artists. But instead of rappers, you've got Vietnamese villagers. And instead of rhyming lyrics, you’ve got folk music infused with poetry and lullabies. Now set it all in 13th-century northern Việt Nam. That’s what you get with quan họ, traditional call and response folk music. Loa’s Jenny Lý gives us a sample of this singing style.

A Resistance Love Letter

A Resistance Love Letter

Music has the power to transcend time, connecting different generations and giving voice to enduring ideals even as the world around us changes. In our "Solitary Envoi" segment, we embark to a faraway jungle, near the Thai-Laotian border. A song written from a small resistance base, by the light of the moon, speaks to the sacrifices made by those who have committed themselves to their country.