In a hall on Japan's Sado island, 71-year-old Yoshikazu Fujimoto strikes the imposing drum mounted before him, producing a boom so powerful that it reverberates through the floorboards. Fujimoto is a veteran performer of Japanese taiko drumming, a musical form with roots in religious rituals, traditional theatre and the joyous abandon of seasonal festivals called matsuri. But for all its ancient pedigree, taiko as a stage performance is a fairly modern invention, developed by a jazz musician and popularised in part by one of Japan's most famous troupes: Sado island's Kodo. Fujimoto is the oldest of the 37 musicians that make up the group, which recruits members through a rigorous two-year training programme. It was founded partly to attract people to Sado, off Japan's west coast, and tours internationally, spreading the gospel of taiko. "Taiko itself is like a prayer," said Fujimoto, who came to Sado in 1972 to join the group that evolved into Kodo. This photo … [Read more...] about ‘Straight to your soul’: Japan’s taiko reinvents drum tradition
Formed armed militias 1775
HCMC needs to take more actions to improve business, investment environment
Mr. Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the People's Committee of HCMC, discusses with delegates at the meeting. (Photo: SGGP) The People's Committee of HCMC, on the afternoon of May 20, organized the program "Meeting between HCMC leaders and the Foreign Business Association in 2022", with the attendance of Mr. Phan Van Mai, Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the HCMC Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of HCMC and the foreign business community in the city. Promoting sustainable growth In the opening remarks, Ms. Mary Tarnowka, Managing Director of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), highly appreciated Vietnam's commitment to a safe coexistence with Covid-19 and the recent reopening of international tourism activities. The key is that Vietnam, in general, and HCMC in particular, needs to ensure a positive regulatory environment. AmCham pays attention to creating a fair, transparent, predictable, and efficient regulatory system … [Read more...] about HCMC needs to take more actions to improve business, investment environment
Vietnam Blockchain Union officially launched
Vietnam Blockchain Union was launched in Hanoi on May 17 (Photo: vov.vn ) Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Blockchain Union was launched in the capital city of Hanoi on May 17, the first official legal entity specialising in the field of blockchain technology. The union will gather blockchain research and application enthusiasts throughout Vietnam. It aims to promote the nation's digital economy in other to mark Vietnam’s position on the world technology map. Among the union's tasks include expanding relationships with blockchain organisations and communities around the world and creating favourable condition for members to share experiences and resources to research, test, apply, deploy and trade blockchain technology in accordance with Vietnamese law. Attracting investment for the operation of the blockchain industry and focusing on training and developing digital human resources are other ones. The Vietnam Blockchain Union was committed to making contributions to … [Read more...] about Vietnam Blockchain Union officially launched
Dengue fever, hand-foot-mouth cases on the rise in Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam’s southern Ho Chi Minh City has seen numbers of cases of hand, foot and mouth disease and dengue fever in children increasing sharply, with six deaths of dengue having been recorded, the municipal Center for Disease Control (HCDC) reported on Friday. During the first four months of 2022, the city recorded 1,599 hand-foot-mouth disease cases, with 96 percent being children aged one to five years old. The number of hand-foot-mouth cases has increased alarmingly in most districts, including District 8, Binh Tan, Tan Phu, and Binh Chanh, and Thu Duc City. Notably, from May 6 to May 12 only, 628 patients were recorded, nearly three times higher than the average of the previous four weeks. Numbers of cases increased both in hospital treatment and outpatient examination across the city, the HCDC reported. To actively prevent the disease, it is necessary for both children and their caregivers to wash hands frequently with soap several times a day. It is advisable to eat … [Read more...] about Dengue fever, hand-foot-mouth cases on the rise in Ho Chi Minh City