Nghe An expands cultural diplomacy activities
In recent years, implementing the cultural diplomacy strategy in the province, departments and branches have coordinated to organize many activities to promote the cultural values, image and people of Nghe An, while contributing to strengthening solidarity and friendship with friends from other countries.
Strengthening friendship and promoting cultural values
In April 2024, Nghe An province and Ulyanovsk province solemnly held the ceremony to receive and inaugurate the statue of Lenin. This is a cultural work imbued with good feelings that the government and people of Ulyanovsk province presented to the government and people of Nghe An province, on the occasion of the 154th anniversary of Lenin's birth (April 22, 1870 - April 22, 2024).
It is known that Nghe An and Ulyanovsk provinces have established friendly relations since 2007. In 2017, the two provinces inaugurated the President Ho Chi Minh Monument in Ulyanovsk province - the hometown of Lenin, which is a prominent event marking a new development step in the relationship between the two sides. The Lenin Statue completed in the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh is a cultural and artistic symbol, expressing the close and close affection that the people of the two provinces have for each other; creating more beautiful space and being a highlight for the urban appearance, the central area of Vinh city.
Representatives of Nghe An province's leaders affirmed that from these cultural diplomatic activities, the two provinces will be more closely connected in bilateral cooperation activities in the fields of investment, trade, health, education and training, and tourism.
In June 2024, at the Nghe An Marathon "Journey to Lotus Village", among more than 3,200 athletes competing, there were 28 athletes from Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Laos... who came to experience the running routes in Nghe An. Athlete Ray Kuschert from Australia said that this was the second time he participated in a Marathon held in Nghe An, after the first time in August 2023 with the Marathon "Ve mien vi, giam".
“At the opening ceremonies, I enjoyed local folk songs and interacted with many famous Vietnamese runners. And the journey through the coastal roads, along the Lam River, to President Ho Chi Minh's hometown gave me the opportunity to experience the beautiful natural landscape as well as the hospitality of Nghe An people,” said Ray Kuschert.
Previously, more than a year ago, in the Art Program at the Opening Ceremony of the Nghe Tinh Vi and Giam Folk Song Festival in 2023, in addition to the special performances of domestic artists, there were also performances by two singers Kyo York (American) and Youtuber Cee Jay (Nigerian). This was the first time at a major cultural and artistic event in Nghe An that songs with Vi and Giam folk melodies were performed by foreign artists, so the audience received them very enthusiastically and cheered them on.
According to People's Artist Trinh Thi Hong Luu - Former Director of Nghe An Province Traditional Arts Center, who participated in the staging of the Art Program at the Opening Ceremony of Nghe Tinh Vi and Giam Folk Song Festival in 2023, both Kyo York and Cee Jay are very famous on social networking sites, with millions of followers, not only in Vietnam but also abroad. Therefore, their participation in the Art Program at the Opening Ceremony of Nghe Tinh Vi and Giam Folk Song Festival will contribute to helping Vi and Giam folk songs spread more strongly.
Promote cultural exchange and communication
According to Mr. Pham Van Toan - Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Foreign Affairs, in recent years, cultural diplomacy has been actively implemented by relevant departments and branches, many cultural exchange programs and activities have been organized enthusiastically, contributing to promoting the image of the beautiful land and people of Nghe An with its unique culture to many domestic and international friends.
Along with that, cultural exchange activities between Nghe An province and Gwangju city (South Korea) are also actively carried out, with typical activities: In 2022 and 2023, the Provincial Traditional Arts Center participated in the provincial delegation to exchange and perform traditional arts in Gwangju province; in 2023, Nghe An province welcomed the Gwangju Province Art Group, South Korea to exchange and perform street arts at Vinh city's walking street.
In addition, cultural exchange activities between students and youth of the province with students and youth from Laos and Thailand studying in the province are also regularly organized. From 2021 to December 2023, the relics and museums welcomed many diplomatic delegations and international visitors to visit and learn about local history and culture, of which Kim Lien relic site welcomed 2,230 international delegations, with more than 5,400 people, Soviet - Nghe Tinh Museum welcomed more than 500 international visitors; Nghe An Museum welcomed 400 international visitors...
In particular, since Nghe Tinh's Vi and Giam were recognized as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the province's art troupes have had many performances and exchanges at international events held domestically and abroad, such as participating in folk song performances serving the sidelines of the 12th Vietnam - France Conference in Hanoi in April 2023; performing at "Vietnam Day 2023" in Gwangju city (Korea) in May 2023...
Mr. Pham Van Toan - Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Foreign Affairs
However, representatives of the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Culture and Sports also said that due to the difficult socio-economic conditions of the province, international cultural exchange activities have not been organized regularly, and have not created a special highlight for international tourists. In addition, the work of introducing and promoting the image of Nghe An province, including cultural heritages and unique cultural beauty to international friends has not achieved the effectiveness and goals set out in the province's plans.
Therefore, in the coming time, in order for cultural diplomacy activities to be carried out effectively, it is necessary to improve knowledge of cultural diplomacy for officials working in foreign affairs and culture; continue to open training courses on foreign affairs knowledge in general and cultural diplomacy in particular, and knowledge on organizing cultural events with foreign elements in localities.
Along with that, continue to promote information exchange activities, propaganda and promotion of cultural, historical and artistic values of the province. Strengthen the implementation of cultural activities with foreign elements, programs to welcome foreign cultural and artistic delegations to Nghe An and introduce heritages, scenic spots and cultural traditions of Nghe An to international friends...
Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh - Director of Nghe An Department of Culture and Sports
