Seminar on Goddess Worship Culture in Vietnam and Asia

The international scientific conference: Goddess worship culture in Vietnam and Asia - identity and value was held on September 29 and 30 in Nam Dinh. The conference was organized by the Center for Research and Preservation of Vietnamese Cultural Beliefs; the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, the Asian Folklore Association in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Nam Dinh province.

Nearly 300 domestic and international delegates from China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Laos and the United Kingdom, including scholars, researchers, leaders representing governments at all levels, cultural and media agencies and a large community practicing Mother Goddess worship attended the conference.

The conference received the attention and support of domestic and international researchers and managers of folk beliefs and culture in the Asian region, with more than 60 presentations on 15 topics. The presentations focused on introducing the origin, history of formation, development, characteristics and significance of the culture of worshiping goddesses (Mothers) in Asia and especially in Vietnam.

As a belief, the worship of Goddesses (Mothers) is the worldview and outlook on life of Asian agricultural people; at the same time, it is a philosophy of patriotism, strength and morality of ethnic groups. In terms of culture, the worship of Goddesses is a diverse and vivid picture of folk performing arts, reflecting many cultural values ​​that have been created, accumulated and passed down from generation to generation, creating the eternal vitality of Goddesses and Mothers.

Nguyet Du Cung - Vu Ban, Nam Dinh - where Chau Van activities often take place - a characteristic of Vietnamese culture

This is an important event in a series of activities to celebrate the 750th anniversary of Thien Truong-Nam Dinh, to honor the value of Mother Goddess Religion, Len Dong and Chau Van - unique intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam and to implement the State's policy on preparing a dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition as intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor - Doctor Ngo Duc Thinh - Director of the Center for Research and Preservation of Vietnamese Cultural Beliefs emphasized that organizing this workshop is even more meaningful when the awareness of society as well as State management agencies are having increasingly more authentic assessments and a more positive view of Mother Goddess Religion.

Mr. Jang, Jung- Yong- President of the Asian Folklore Association hopes that the delegates representing other countries should have a deeper understanding of the cultural values ​​as well as the goddess worship tradition of countries in the Asian region in general and Vietnam in particular. This is an opportunity for countries to further promote their own goddess worship culture to other countries. This is also the foundation for the cultures of countries to get closer to the title of world intangible heritage.

Mr. Jang, Jung-Yong - President of Asian Folklore Association

Sharing his views on the goddess worship of his own country - Korea, Mr. Jang, Jung-Yong added: Vietnam and Korea both have the same goddess worship. However, the difference between the two countries is that the Korean people mainly worship the Goddess of the Sea. Meanwhile, Vietnam, a culture that mainly follows the long-standing tradition of wet rice cultivation, often worships goddesses who protect crops, fertile land, and serve the needs and lives of the people.

Mr. Pham Cao Phong, Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, shared that people should compare the goddess worship customs in Vietnam with other Asian countries to find the most outstanding and unique features of goddess worship culture in Vietnam. "I hope that people will feel even more proud if Vietnam has a unique goddess worship custom and culture that other countries do not have. This is the premise for goddess worship culture in Vietnam to become a world intangible cultural heritage"./.

(According to VOV) - LC