Vietnamese and German Choirs unite in harmony to strengthen friendship and build bridges through music
WVR -On the evening of October 17, at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, the choral concert “Qua Cau gio bay (Crossing the Windy Bridge) -Music building bridges”—performed by the Hope Choir (Vietnam) and Berlin Lichtenberg Chamber Choir (Germany) —created a vibrant space for musical and cultural exchange.
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The concert brought about uplifting emotions and harmony, uniting in performance and building brigdes through music to strengthen friendship between the two nations.
Audiences in Hanoi were immersed in unique harmony, enjoyed with performances by the Hope Choir and the Berlin Lichtenberg Chamber Choir.
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| Vietnamese and German Choirs unite in harmony to strengthen friendship and build bridges through music: Performance by the Berlin Lichtenberg Chamber Choir (Photo: Phuong Doan) |
The event was part of a series of activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Germany (1975-2025). The concert served as a cultural highlight where artists from both countries sang for a friendship spanning half a century.
In a cozy auditorium, artists from the two nations narrated a cultural story through music. From profound European hymns like Cantate Domino (Italian hymn), Ave Verum (famous German-Austrian hymn) to familiar Vietnamese folk tunes like Qua cau gio bay (Crossing the windy bridge), Beo dat may troi (.Drifting water ferns, floating clouds), Ngua o thuong nho (Beloved Black horse).... The subtle blend of Eastern and Western cultures demonstrated that music can always transcend language barriers.
Members of the choirs expressed hope that through the resonant melodies, the friendship between Vietnam and Germany would be further deepened and enriched. This, they said, is how artists use the power of art to spread messages of peace and unity among nations.
The Berlin Lichtenberg Chamber Choir, established in 2011, comprises about 30 professional voices, including some Vietnamese of the second or third generations, renowned for its diverse repertoire from classical to contemporary works. The Choir specializes in a cappella performances, presenting a diverse repertoire ranging from Renaissance to contemporary works, along with unique jazz and pop arrangements. Under the baton of Conductor Katrin Hübner, the Choir delivered a captivating and profound performance.
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| Performance by the Hope Choir (Photo: Phuong Doan) |
In 2023, under the direction of Conductor Katrin Hübner, the Berlin–Hanoi Project made a strong impression at the Berliner Philharmonie by recreating the musical journey of the Vietnamese community in Germany, thereby reaffirming Lichtenberg Choir’s role in fostering cultural connections between the two countries.
The Hope Choir was founded nearly 20 years ago, with 16 talented visually impaired singers and musicians from NguyenDinh Chieu School (Hanoi), led by artists Ton That Triem and Nguyen Xuan Thanh. Since its establishment in 2004, the Choir has expanded to 20 members and has participated in thousands of performances, large and small. Its members come from various regions and professions but share the same deep passion for music.
With a distinguished history and the honour of performing on national days of various countries such as France, Italy, the USA, Germany, Switzerland... the Choir has left an indelible impression on audiences.
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| Artists from both countries thank the audience for their support. (Photo: Phuong Doan) |
The concert concluded amidst resounding applause, as Vietnamese and German artists united in a shared melody during the piece Trong com (the Rice Drum).
Amidst the warm lights and resonant music, the audience clearly felt the harmony in emotions – where music becomes the bond connecting the two nations and two people.
