BERLIN — A Vietnamese folk lullaby brought a moment of quiet emotion to an audience in Berlin when an Indonesian guitarist performed it at the 20th anniversary celebration of the International Guitar Competition & Festival Berlin (IGCFB).

As Theduardo Prasetyo played the opening notes of Ru Con (Lullaby) at Ballhaus Berlin, the audience fell silent, captivated by the gentle melody.

The song is a traditional lullaby from southern Việt Nam, in which a mother sings softly to soothe her child to sleep. Simple and tender, it conveys the warmth and affection of maternal love.

The piece was arranged for classical guitar by Professor Đặng Ngọc Long, founder and artistic director of the festival. Through his arrangement, he hopes to introduce not only the sounds of Việt Nam to international audiences but also the country's cultural soul.

Prasetyo, who won first prize in the competition, delivered a sensitive and heartfelt performance that moved many listeners, some of whom were visibly touched despite not understanding a single word of Vietnamese.

Cultural bridge

Founded in Berlin in 2006 by Professor Đặng Ngọc Long, the IGCFB has brought together hundreds of contestants from countries around the world over the past two decades.

For many participants, the competition has provided their first encounter with Việt Nam through traditional folk melodies they are required to learn and perform.

One distinctive feature has remained unchanged throughout the festival's 20-year history: alongside their own choice of repertoire, contestants must perform three compulsory pieces inspired by Vietnamese folk music, composed or arranged by Long.

The requirement has introduced generations of international guitarists to Vietnamese musical traditions. Having learnt and performed these works for the competition, many have subsequently taken the melodies back to their home countries, sharing them with new audiences.

Over the years, the festival has received patronage and support from Germany's Federal Foreign Office, the Goethe-Institut, the German Musicians' Association and other German cultural organisations, reflecting its contribution not only to music but also to sustained cultural exchange between Việt Nam and Germany.

This year's festival also coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. While official diplomacy is built through agreements and formal exchanges, cultural diplomacy can also grow through shared artistic experiences and melodies that transcend language barriers.

A total of 30 contestants from 15 countries participated in the first round of this year’s edition. Following several rounds of competition, the five strongest performers were selected to advance to the final. Indonesian contestant Theduardo Prasetyo won first prize with Ru Con (Lullaby), a piece by artist Đặng Ngọc Long. The second, third, fourth and fifth prizes went to contestants from Italy, the Republic of Korea, Germany and France, respectively.

According to Long, the performance of Ru Con in Berlin was more than a competition entry. It demonstrated how a lullaby rooted in the everyday life of a Vietnamese mother and child could move an audience thousands of kilometres away.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyễn Đắc Thành congratulated Professor Đặng Ngọc Long on his perseverance in building the competition over the past 20 years, helping create a cultural bridge which the Vietnamese community in Germany can be proud of.

He noted that 2026 marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Việt Nam-Germany strategic partnership. While official diplomacy is advanced through visits, agreements and cooperation projects, cultural diplomacy is nurtured through artistic exchanges and melodies, he said.

“The IGCFB is a vivid testament to the friendship and cultural ties between the two countries,” he added.

Jennifer Sikora, an audience member, said she was deeply impressed by the performances. To her, the melodies were beautiful and full of emotion.

Twenty years on, the festival continues to show how music can connect cultures, introduce international audiences to Việt Nam's heritage and create lasting bonds between people.

“Sometimes, the most powerful cultural message needs no words at all,” Long said. — VNS