Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI - Vietnamese pianist Lưu Đức Anh, a student of Malmo Music Academy in Sweden, has won the first prize at the 6th International Music Competition 2017, in the 19-30 year-old category. The contest, held between May 25 and 28, drew 300 pianists from various countries, including Russia, Germany, China, the US and Norway, who competed across five different age groups. Anh is a post-master student at the Swedish academy and is guided by Prof Hans Palsson. In Việt Nam, he was trained by noted musician Prof Trần Thu Hà and his father, Prof Lưu Quang Minh. Born in 1993 in Hà Nội, the 24-year-old started learning to play the piano at a young age, under his father's guidance. After finishing an intermediate course at the Việt Nam Music Academy, he got his university degree and a master's degree at the Royal Conservatory of Liege in 2013 and 2015, respectively. Anh has won various honours, including a first prize at the Andree Charlier contest held in Belgium in 2016, and … [Read more...] about VN pianist wins first prize in international competition
Life
China’s ’toilet revolution’ targets dirty lavatories
Authorities in China have installed or upgraded over 50,000 lavatories in a "national toilet revolution" designed to clean up filthy public restrooms. — AFP/VNA Photo Viet Nam News BEIJING — China is taking care of a pressing need: Authorities have installed or upgraded over 50,000 lavatories in a "national toilet revolution" designed to clean up filthy public restrooms. Relief is coming soon, and by the end of the year China expects to have added or upgraded a total of 71,000 toilets, well exceeding a target initially set in 2015. The plan to fix the country’s bad reputation for grimy and smelly facilities has focused on restrooms in tourist sites. In some places, shiny new toilets have replaced unhygienic open pits that offered little privacy. More sanitation workers have also been hired. The National Tourism Administration said in a report last Friday that almost 93 per cent of the target has been reached. "At tourist sites, visitors were angered by … [Read more...] about China’s ’toilet revolution’ targets dirty lavatories
Spotify agrees to fund to settle copyright suits
Music streaming leader Spotify has agreed to set up a US$43.45 million fund to settle a potentially costly pair of US copyright lawsuits from artists, lawyers say. — AFP/VNA Photo Viet Nam News NEW YORK — Music streaming leader Spotify has agreed to set up a US$43.45 million fund to settle a potentially costly pair of US copyright lawsuits from artists, lawyers said on Monday. The move marks the latest effort by the Swedish company to turn the page on messy disputes as it considers a public listing amid the soaring growth of streaming. The settlement would end lawsuits spearheaded by two indie songwriters who double as academics -- folk rock singer Melissa Ferrick and David Lowery, frontman of alternative rock bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven. The two had pursued class-action cases -- meaning a mass of musicians could claim payouts -- with Ferrick seeking US$200 million and Lowery asking for US$150 million. The artists had accused Spotify, which boasts of … [Read more...] about Spotify agrees to fund to settle copyright suits
Festival food gives new meaning to ’killer’ fare
Viet Nam News by Phương Hà The healthy aspect of many Vietnamese traditions and festivals is perhaps most exemplified by the Đoan Ngọ Festival, which is celebrated on the fifth of the fifth lunar month. What makes this festival special is that the food prepared for it has the specific objective of getting rid of worms inside the body. Tradition has it that the human body, particularly the digestive system, tends to host worms that can do harm to health if they are not eliminated in time. It is believed that their growth peaks during summer noons, thus the timing of the festival on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar year, a day that marks the beginning of the hottest days of the year and the outbreak of many diseases. Fermented sticky rice and summer fruits like litchi or plum are the most popular dishes that Vietnamese across the country enjoy during this festival, for eliminating worms and refreshing their bodies. However, there are also dishes that vary with … [Read more...] about Festival food gives new meaning to ’killer’ fare
French breakdancer to take City stage
Blurry beauty: French breakdance artist Valentine Nagata-Ramos will perform in the Japanese tragedy Sadako on the stage of the HCM City Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF) on June 9. — Photo from the dancer’s Facebook page Viet Nam News HCM CITY — French breakdance artist Valentine Nagata-Ramos will perform in the Japanese tragedy Sadako at the HCM City Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF) on June 9 as part of her Asian tour. Sadako is based on Japanese legend about having your wish come true if you can fold 1,000 paper cranes. Sadako Sasaki, a victim of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, made 664 cranes before she died of leukemia at the age of 12. Her classmates folded the remaining 356 cranes and buried 1,000 cranes with her. The dance piece, Nagata-Ramos’s first solo, was created in 2011. The dancer mixes hip hop, Japanese dance form butoh, and origami. The performance will be followed by a workshop “I AM YOU” … [Read more...] about French breakdancer to take City stage