Peruvian Music and Culture introduced to Audience in Hanoi

For the first time, audience in Hanoi have chance to enjoy Q-pop – a refreshing combination of Peru's indigenous language, Quechua and modern K-pop-style music, at a concert held in the Opera House.
October 26, 2024 | 13:56
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Peruvian and Vietnamese artists took part in the 'Q'pop & Quechua Concert' held at the Hanoi Opera House on October 23 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Peru (November 14, 1994 - 2024), VOV reported.

Addressing the event, Ambassador of Peru to Vietnam Patricia Yolanda Ráez shared that over the past three decades, the two countries have not only enjoyed a good relationship, but also had respect for each other's culture.

She expressed hope that there would be more cultural exchange activities to be held in the coming time in a bid to boost mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Q'pop & Quechua Concert: Music Connects National Culture
The event not only provides the public with the opportunity to explore the distinctive cultures of both countries, through outstanding artistic performances, but also marks a significant occasion in strengthening the cultural cooperation between Peru and Vietnam. Source: Embassy of Peru to Vietnam

The concert opened with a performance put on by classic Vietnamese guitarist Vu Hien. Peruvian singer Yolanda Pinares then brought unique melodies of her homeland to the event through traditional pieces of work such as SiwarQ'inti and Orqopi Vicuna. As a key figure in the dissemination of Peruvian culture, Pinares uses her musical talent to inspire global audiences, with her unique blend of Andean and contemporary sounds, connecting the past and present of Peru's diverse culture.

She later joined Phan Thuy, a famous Vietnamese artist of đàn tỳ bà (plucked four-string instrument), to put on a special performance that received a big applause from audiences.

In addition, the repertoire also featured dazzling performances of two dancers from Peru and two dancers from the Sud Crew, one of the oldest and most influential groups from Vietnam’s contemporary dance community. This collaboration delivered a fresh experience for audience through captivating dances.

Q'pop & Quechua Concert: Music Connects National Culture
Joining the artists from Peru is two talented Vietnamese artists, classic guitarist Vu Hien and Phan Thuy, a tỳ bà (plucked four-string instrument) musician and lecturer at the Vietnam National Academy of Music. Source: icd.gov.vn

Peruvian singer Lenin Tamayo, who has been dubbed the founder of ‘Q-pop’, also took the stage, by combining traditional Andean folk music with pop inspired instrumentation and dance.

It is a new genre that resembles South Korean pop music with songs in Quechua, the most widely spoken Indigenous language in South America.

The 24-year-old singer has millions of views on TikTok thanks to this unique musical form, which fuses influences from across continents and cultures.

Making music in his native language, he said, "helps embrace the roots but without being oblivious to modernity and globalization”.

Through his music, Tamayo not only helps preserve and promote the Quechua language but also contributes to spreading the rich cultural heritage of Peru to a global audience, particularly in Vietnam.

Q'pop & Quechua Concert: Music Connects National Culture
Hanoi concert marks 30 years of Peru-Vietnam diplomatic ties. Source: icd.gov.vn

Alongside the show at the Hanoi Opera House on October 23, there was a similar event at Hanoi University (HANU) held on October 24.

Q'pop & Quechua Concert: Music Connects National Culture
Peruvian singer Lenin Tamayo with HANU's students. Photo courtesy of HANU
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