'Witnesses' of the revolutionary movement in Nghe An homeland

Traces of a glorious time

If you have the opportunity to travel up and down National Highway 7A through Khai Son Commune (Anh Son), you will see an ancient banyan tree with lush shade, recognized as a revolutionary relic. That ancient banyan tree is named after the countryside.revolutionold years - Tri Le, determined to be about 400 years old, the tree trunk bears the marks of time with large and deep hollows, rough "tumors" and tangled branches and leaves.

The history of the Party and people of Anh Son district has repeatedly mentioned the Tri Le banyan tree as a symbol of solidarity and the fighting spirit of the revolutionary masses. In particular, this banyan tree is associated with the struggle movement.Nghe Tinh Soviet1930-1931 and the uprising to seize power in the August Revolution of 1945 by the people of Anh Son district.

Tri Le banyan tree, Khai Son commune (Anh Son). Photo: Cong Kien

In two historical events, the Tri Le banyan tree was the "meeting point" and the starting point of the revolutionary mass forces, starting the "earth-shaking" days of struggle. This was the place where revolutionary forces from communes and cantons in the region gathered to surround Anh Son road (today's center of Do Luong district), demanding the surrender of the feudal lackeys.

Over time, the Tri Le banyan tree has always been protected by the local government and people, recognized as a historical relic, and continues to be a witness to the changes and prosperity of the revolutionary countryside. In recent years, a number of schools in the area have organized extracurricular programs, allowing students to visit and learn about the Tri Le banyan tree relic, thereby better imagining the seething atmosphere of the masses during the days of revolutionary struggle.

Students of Khai Son Primary School (Anh Son) learn about their hometown's history under the Tri Le banyan tree. Photo courtesy: Thai Hien

Like the Tri Le banyan tree, the Ham Rong banyan tree has long been considered a “green witness” of the revolutionary movement in the former Hoa Quan war zone, now Thanh Huong commune (Thanh Chuong). The tree’s roots cling to the Ham Rong rock, its trunk is large, its canopy covers a large area and embraces the Ham Rong temple.

According to the History of Thanh Huong Commune Party Committee, during the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement (1930 - 1931) and the GeneraluprisingWhen the government took power in 1945, Thanh Huong was one of the leading communes. The ancient banyan tree and Ham Rong temple were among the places where the revolutionary masses gathered before marching to the district headquarters to fight.

Here, the hammer and sickle flag flew in the Soviet movement and the national flag fluttered in the joyful day of independence. During the resistance war against the French, Ham Rong rock - where there is an ancient banyan tree and a sacred temple - was chosen as a place to produce weapons. That was the Ton That Cung Chemical Factory of the Military Department of Inter-zone 3 - 4 with the main task of producing explosives to stuff rifle bullets and grenades.

Ham Rong banyan tree, Thanh Huong commune (Thanh Chuong). Photo: Cong Kien

Today, the Ham Rong Sanh tree still casts its shadow on the clear, gentle Trai River. The Sanh tree and the temple have long been a “sacred address” for people throughout the region, a testament to a glorious, heroic time.

And, not only the Tri Le banyan tree, the Ham Rong bonsai tree, onNghe An countrysideThere are also many ancient trees that are revolutionary relics and the pride of the homeland. These are the Bodhi tree in Dien Dong commune (Dien Chau); the Sui tree in Thanh Phong commune (Thanh Chuong), the Kapok tree in Quynh Luong commune (Quynh Luu)...

Preserve and promote the value of ancient trees

Mr. Nguyen Van Nhien - an expert in ornamental plants, who has spent many years researching ancient trees, believes that Nghe An is a land rich in patriotic and revolutionary traditions, perhaps because of that, trees also absorb and inherit the spirit and brave will of the people.

According to preliminary statistics, the whole province currently has nearly 30 ancient trees that serve as historical evidence, ancient trees with the revolutionary struggle of the people under the leadership of the Party. In addition to the trees mentioned above, we can also mention the banyan tree in Dien Lam commune (Dien Chau) and Thanh An commune (Thanh Chuong), the kapok tree in Dang Son commune, the banyan tree in Bac Son commune (Do Luong)...

Dien Trang sui tree, Thanh Phong commune (Thanh Chuong). Photo: Cong Kien

Besides the ancient trees that are cared for, protected and promotedhistorical value, currently many trees are facing the risk of being harmed and "disappearing" due to lack of attention or improper attention from humans. Most recently, a 300-year-old drifting tree in Thanh Ngoc commune (Thanh Chuong) died due to improper care and restoration by local people. This drifting tree was once a location associated with the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement, and was the place where Thanh Chuong District Party Committee once chose as a meeting place and to hide documents.

Not long ago, the banyan tree of Lang Tru, Nghia Khanh commune (Nghia Dan) also suddenly fell down due to lack of regular and timely care and protection. Under this banyan tree, on August 22, 1945, under the leadership of the Nghia Dan district uprising committee, tens of thousands of people from Cu Lam, Nghia Hung, Thach Khe, Ha Suu, Thai Thinh communes and a large number of workers from plantations in Phu Quy gathered.forcemarched to the district center to seize power.

Ancient cotton tree in Quynh Luong commune (Quynh Luu). Photo: Ho Dinh Chien

Previously, the Con Chua banyan tree in Mon Son commune (Con Cuong), which marked the struggle movement of ethnic minorities in the Southwest region, was also felled...

Regarding solutions to preserve and promote the value of ancient trees, especially those associated with the revolutionary struggle movement, according to Mr. Nguyen Van Nhien, competent authorities should soon research and make decisions to recognize ancient trees as relics that need to be preserved to ensure legality.

From there, number and create detailed records for each tree, attach a unified sign "Tree with conservation decision"; at the same time, socialize the conservation, care, protection and management.ancient tree, aiming for all ancient trees to have owners and be regularly cared for and protected.

The ancient cotton tree in Quynh Luong commune (Quynh Luu) has been given a "Heritage Tree" sign for protection. Photo: Ho Dinh Chien

“In addition, conservation should be linked to traditional education, spiritual culture and ecotourism development. Doing this well will contribute to promoting economic, cultural and social development, forming awareness of respecting ancient trees among all classes of people. Because ancient trees are an important document for studying natural and social history, losing an ancient tree is like the passing of a historical witness,” said Mr. Nhien.