An attempt to set a Guinness record for Quan Ho at the Lim Festival in Bac Ninh has been criticized for jeopardizing the authenticity of the traditional folk singing.

"Quan ho" performers

3,500 Quan Ho singers performed in a massive choir for the attempt to set a new national and World’s Guinness record.

Researcher Dang Hoanh Loan said traditionally, Quan Ho singers performed in pairs or alternating groups of female and male singers to challenge and respond to each other.

“3,000 people singing Quan Ho at the same are not an image true to the spirit and format of this age-old folk art. For researchers like us, preserving its originality is the most important thing,” he said.

“I can’t imagine what they have turned Quan Ho into when they do that,” he said.

But for organizers like Nguyen Huu Trong, the program is to promote the ancient heritage to worldwide audiences.

As a Vietnamese folk music style originated in what is now Bac Ninh Province during the 13th century, Quan Ho was recognized as a Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2009.

The annual Lim Festival has two parts: religious ceremonies and entertainment including folk games, contests, poetry readings and Quan Ho performances.

This year’s festival is held until Saturday in Noi Due, Lien Bao and Lim town, Bac Ninh Province.