The mass cultural movement in Dien Chau

(Baonghean)Over the years, the cultural and artistic movement in Dien Chau district has achieved many positive results. This is the result of coordinating and linking cultural activities with the organizations in which each citizen is involved.

Over the past three years, the development of grassroots folk art has been emphasized in Dien Chau district. To date, the entire district has more than 500 folk art troupes established and in operation. In Dien Thai commune, a folk art troupe with 20 members who love folk music has developed into a regularly active club; it has won many awards at district and provincial folk music festivals.

Mr. Dinh Nhat Tan, Chairman of the Dien Thai Folk Song Club, said: “The folk singing movement in Dien Thai commune has existed for many years, but in the last 5 years, with the attention and investment from the commune, the club's activities have become more organized and regular, with the club practicing once a week. For many years, the Dien Thai Folk Song Club has always been a core force of arts and folk songs in Dien Chau district, participating in provincial festivals and winning many high awards.”

A practice session of the Dien Chau Ca Tru Club. Photo: Tran Canh Yen

Currently, each commune and unit located in Dien Chau district has at least one amateur performing arts group. To create opportunities for these groups to interact, the District's Culture and Information Center organizes 3-5 performances annually during holidays and festivals. "Organizing these amateur performing arts festivals has promoted the development of many performing arts groups, thereby improving the quality of cultural activities and achievements in the communes, while also meeting the needs of the people in the district for artistic enjoyment," said Mr. Vo Minh Phuc, Deputy Director of the Dien Chau District Culture, Information and Communication Center.

The Dien Chau District Youth Union is one of the leading units among agencies and organizations in cultural activities, regularly organizing movements for young union members such as camping, performing arts, and building more than 70 cultural libraries in the movement "Youth studying and following the moral example of Ho Chi Minh"... The District's Senior Citizens Association has established many cultural and artistic clubs, attracting over 34,000 members; activities are held in 39 grassroots organizations with 456 branches. To date, 100% of the branches of the Dien Chau Senior Citizens Association have established cultural and sports clubs.

This is a performance at the amateur arts festival in Dien Chau district.
Photo: Mai Giang

The development of cultural and artistic activities in schools has received significant attention. Folk song clubs have been established in schools, and in early February 2013, the "I Love Folk Songs" competition was successfully held with 37 primary schools reaching the finals. Typical examples of school-based artistic activities in Dien Chau district include the communes of Dien Hong, Dien Yen, Dien Hoa, Dien Ngoc, and Dien Truong... Every year, the District Department of Education and Training organizes arts and folk song competitions to develop artistic talents in each school, thereby building a strong performing arts team in line with the district-wide cultural and artistic movement.

Although a specialized association, the Dien Chau District Literature and Arts Association has, over the years, focused on developing culture and arts in close connection with the people. This is clearly reflected in the themes and topics of its members' works. Members participate in writing numerous literary works, paintings, and photographs, truthfully reflecting the cultural and spiritual life of the people; they also compose scripts, lyrics, and directly participate in rehearsals with performing arts groups. Besides creative activities, the most significant achievement of the Dien Chau Literature and Arts Association is the restoration and preservation of the Ca Tru singing art form by its members, and its development in this area.

Mr. Tran Sy Hong, Deputy Head of the Culture Department of Dien Chau District, said: “In parallel with focusing on building cultural institutions, Dien Chau District has also encouraged investment in the quality of cultural activities at the grassroots level. In communes, towns, and agencies throughout the district, the development of culture and arts has become a widespread emulation movement, creating a driving force for the development of the cultural movement within each unit in particular and the entire district in general.”

Thai Anh