Nhan Dan Online-  "My love and admiration for the land, culture and people of Vietnam has been a long time, not until the day I first cam here in 2000,” French famous artist Francis Cabrel talked with Vietnamese journalists prior to his two performances in Hanoi Opera House on October 6 and 7.

- This is the second time you come to Vietnam for performance, so how do you feel and why do you want to come back?

I first came to Vietnam in 2000 to join the Hue Festival in 2000. This time when coming back, I feel very happy and it’s an honour for me to perform in a country that I have a great love for. Two performances in Hanoi will be a good chance for me to express my love to the Vietnamese people whom I admire a lot.

- Since when that you have had such a love for Vietnam?

In my mind, I and other people of my generation have always admired the history and culture of your country. Vietnamese people were very brave in the past struggle for their happiness. Therefore, my love for your country has had a long history, but not until when I first came here in 2000.

- And this is proved by your Vietnamese adopted child?

Exactly it is. With my love to Vietnamese people, I have an adopted Vietnamese child who is Dao ethnic minority from the Orphanage Centre in Bac Can northern mountainous province.  She has been living peacefully and happily with our family in a rural area in the southern France.

- Is this the reason that lead to the charity performances this time in which all of proceeds will be donated to the Bac Can Orphanage Centre ?

Yes, apart from money from ticket selling, we expect to raise more US $ 15,000 to 20,000 for the centre. Artists and I myself are performing voluntarily without any money. Though my stay in Vietnam is not long, I still plan to go to the Bac Can Orphanage Centre to see what’s going on there over the past five years.

Francis Cabrel will sing a song with Vietnamese young singer Le Cat Trong Ly.

- What songs are you singing in the performances

I will continue with French songs which mark my 30 year career. I will also sing a song together with Vietnamese young singer Le Cat Trong Ly. Besides, Ly will sing three Vietnamese songs in the concert.

- How come to the co-operation between you and Le Cat Trong Ly?

The organiser, Philippe Bouler, introduced Trong Ly with me. I heard Ly singing from a CD and find that Ly has a nice voice. Trong Ly is now studying viola at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. This is also a good opportunity to popularise a Vietnamese young singer to the public.

- Do you know anything about Vietnamese music and Vietnamese audience

I like Vietnamese traditional music and I find that Vietnamese audience is very nice.

- If you have a chance, do you want to come back to Vietnam again ?

Of course. I want to join more of such a charity performance in the future.

Thank you and wish you successful concerts in Hanoi

By Dieu Thuy