To ensure that the folk songs of Ví and Giặm can spread and endure.
From November 23rd to 30th, activities commemorating the 10th anniversary of Nghe Tinh folk songs (Vi and Giam) being recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity will take place in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. On this occasion, Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Nghe An province, regarding related issues.
Minh Quan(Perform) November 23, 2024
From November 23rd to 30th, activities commemorating the 10th anniversary of Nghe Tinh folk songs (Vi and Giam) being recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity will take place in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. On this occasion, Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Nghe An province, regarding related issues.
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PV: Madam, ten years ago, on November 27, 2014, at the 9th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Paris, France, the Nghe Tinh folk songs were officially recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Could you please summarize the significance of this event for our readers?
Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh:The Ví and Giặm folk songs of Nghệ Tĩnh are an art form that holds a significant place in the cultural life of the people of Nghệ An and Hà Tĩnh provinces. This art form is prevalent in the lives of communities, manifested in almost all daily activities, in labor and production such as lullabies, rice planting, weaving, and woodcutting. The lyrics of Ví and Giặm folk songs praise profound values and traditions such as respect for parents, loyalty, dedication to others, as well as honesty and kind treatment between people. Ví and Giặm folk songs of Nghệ Tĩnh are widely disseminated in villages, hamlets, and residential areas of both Nghệ An and Hà Tĩnh provinces, occupying an important position in the cultural life of the local people and creating a unique cultural identity for the people of this region.
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2014 marked a significant milestone in the long journey of forming, preserving, and promoting the Ví and Giặm folk songs of Nghe An province, with the recognition of this intangible cultural heritage as a representative of humanity. This recognition not only honored the stature and cultural value of this region, the soul of Nghe Tinh – the source of the love for the land and people of Nghe An – but also honored the generations of people of Nghe Tinh who created and nurtured this cultural heritage that has entered the history of mankind. Since then, Ví and Giặm have entered a new chapter, receiving proper attention, preservation, and promotion.
PV:Over the past 10 years since Nghe Tinh folk songs (Vi and Giam) were recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, what efforts have both Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces made in preserving and promoting the value of this heritage?
Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh:Nearly 10 years have passed since the recognition, which may not seem like a long time, but the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, the Departments of Culture and Sports of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, and local authorities have shown great interest and coordinated many activities to preserve and promote the value of the Vi and Giam folk song heritage. In Nghe An province in particular, state management of cultural heritage in general, and Vi and Giam folk songs in particular, has been emphasized. In 2021, the project "Protecting and promoting the value of the Vi and Giam folk song heritage of Nghe Tinh province in the period 2021-2025" was issued by the Provincial People's Committee, creating conditions for the implementation of practical tasks and solutions for the development of the heritage. Also in 2021, policies supporting clubs and artisans who have been awarded the titles of People's Artisan and Distinguished Artisan in general, and in the field of Vi and Giam folk song heritage in particular, were issued and implemented.
Along with this, there has been a focus on implementing activities to preserve and promote the value of the Ví and Giặm folk song heritage at the grassroots and community levels. From 2014 to the present, the province has established 50 new Ví and Giặm folk song clubs, bringing the total number to 140 clubs with nearly 3,000 members from various professions and age groups participating in activities. The heritage practice area has expanded to include high mountainous districts such as Con Cuông, Tương Dương, Kỳ Sơn, Quỳ Hợp, Quỳ Châu, and Quế Phong. To date, all 21 districts, cities, and towns in the province have Ví and Giặm folk song clubs. In addition, the province currently has 42 folk artists awarded by the Vietnam Folk Arts Association; 52 outstanding artists and 1 people's artist awarded by the President of Vietnam. Folk song clubs and folk singers are entitled to support policies from the province and the State as stipulated.
Heritage transmission is regularly implemented through various forms: activities in families, communities, and clubs; teaching in secondary schools; training at the College of Culture and Arts; teaching singing on radio and television; training for teachers and clubs in districts, cities, and towns… Research and documentation of heritage are also emphasized, with over 50 articles on theory, music, and adapted scripts of Nghe Tinh folk songs; 3 scientific documentary films; 3 reports on heritage preservation and promotion; 1 scientific research project on performance spaces in Nghe Tinh folk songs; and 2 scientific conferences: “What Future for Nghe Tinh Folk Songs?” and “50 Years of Nghe Tinh Folk Opera – Trends of Integration and Development”…
In terms of promoting and publicizing the heritage, from 2014 to the present, the province has organized three inter-provincial folk song festivals, and especially the Vi Giam Folk Song Festival in 2023; built special pages and sections, wrote articles and reported on Vi Giam folk songs on websites and in mass media; collaborated in producing documentaries, films, and releasing CDs and VCDs of music about Vi Giam folk songs... Vi Giam folk songs have also participated in exchanges and performances at festivals and events of provinces and cities nationwide. Some artists have participated in provincial delegations to exchange and perform art in European and Southeast Asian countries...
On the other hand, the cultural sector has also promoted the theatrical adaptation of Nghe Tinh folk songs and melodies on the stage, bringing folk opera closer to the masses. Plays such as "Everlasting Faith," "What Remains," "The Fiery Flowers of Truong Bon," and "The Crane in the Storm" by the Nghe An Traditional Arts Center have successfully experimented with theatrical adaptations of Nghe Tinh folk songs and served the artistic needs of the people. Many plays and programs have won high awards in national professional art competitions.
Overall, through these activities of the Culture sector from the provincial to the grassroots level, the folk songs of Nghe Tinh are becoming increasingly closely associated with the daily lives of the people, creating vitality and widespread influence in the community. In particular, the role of the community in protecting and promoting the folk songs of Nghe Tinh is increasingly being enhanced.
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PV:Despite achieving certain successes, preserving and promoting the value of the Nghe Tinh folk song heritage (Vi and Giam) still faces many difficulties and challenges.
Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh:Currently, the original folk melodies and performance styles of the Ví and Giặm folk songs are gradually fading away within the community. The number of folk artists who preserve and practice these ancient pieces is decreasing due to old age and lack of the strength to perform and teach them. Furthermore, few young people are enthusiastic about this type of heritage, resulting in limited inheritance. Some current practitioners lack a firm grasp of the performance techniques and content of the traditional pieces. The performance environment and space have changed, making it difficult to practice these ancient pieces. The adaptation or "creation" of these ancient pieces without a thorough understanding has altered, or even distorted, the heritage.
Furthermore, the promotion and dissemination of Ví and Giặm folk songs on online platforms and through cultural exchange activities within and outside the province, as well as abroad, remains limited and has not achieved widespread reach. Mobilizing social funding for cultural and artistic activities in general, and Ví and Giặm folk songs in particular, is also limited, primarily relying on the state budget.
PV: To ensure the enduring preservation of the Ví and Giặm folk music heritage alongside the nation and global culture, what solutions do we need in the future, Madam?
Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh:In the coming period, Nghe An province will evaluate the implementation of the Project on Protecting and Promoting the Value of the Vi and Giam Folk Songs of Nghe Tinh Province for the period 2021-2025 and submit to the Prime Minister for approval the Project on Protecting and Promoting the Value of the Vi and Giam Folk Songs of Nghe Tinh Province for the period 2026-2030, thereby aiming to mobilize resources (funding, infrastructure, human resources, etc.) for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage values, including the Vi and Giam folk songs.
The province will focus on effectively implementing short-term and long-term policies and plans for the preservation and promotion of the value of Nghe Tinh folk songs, such as: completing and putting into operation the Nghe Tinh Folk Song Theater; providing support policies for folk song artisans and clubs; incorporating the plan for preserving and promoting Nghe Tinh folk songs into socio-economic development plans and building tourism infrastructure associated with folk songs; and continuing to raise awareness among all segments of the population about the values of Nghe Tinh folk songs and the community's responsibility in preserving and promoting this heritage.
Furthermore, it is necessary to promote the development of a network of folk singing clubs in every village and hamlet; maintain the organization of annual folk singing festivals and competitions. Continue to effectively implement activities to teach folk singing in the community and other appropriate forms. Focus on restoring the performance spaces of folk singing, prioritizing the restoration and preservation of traditional songs and performance forms that have faded away, while encouraging original compositions. Develop plays and performance programs by theater troupes to serve political tasks within the province, and to perform, introduce, and promote Nghe Tinh folk singing in other provinces and cities nationwide and internationally.
Another important solution is to develop Nghe Tinh folk songs (Vi and Giam) into a distinctive tourism product of Nghe Tinh province through various forms: Strengthening the promotion and dissemination of Nghe Tinh folk songs through the Internet and social media. Creating and uploading videos and images of Nghe Tinh folk song performances on online platforms (YouTube, websites, fan pages, etc.) to promote them worldwide. Developing a network and providing services and cultural products related to Nghe Tinh folk songs at tourist areas and destinations; selecting and investing in building a brand for Vi and Giam folk songs and a local tourism brand associated with Vi and Giam folk songs…
PV:What notable activities will be held in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the recognition of Vi and Giam folk songs by UNESCO, Madam?
Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh:The 10th anniversary celebrations of the UNESCO recognition of the Ví and Giặm folk songs took place from November 23rd to 30th. In Nghe An province, there were two main events: the 10th anniversary ceremony of the UNESCO inscription of the Nghe Tinh Ví and Giặm folk song heritage, and the exhibition "Colors of Vietnamese Cultural Heritage, Nature, and Traditional Handicrafts." In addition, there were other special activities such as: the Traditional Folk Art Festival "Vietnam - Colors of Heritage"; the awarding of prizes for the Ví and Giặm folk song lyric writing competition; a light sculpture exhibition; the "Vietnamese Ao Dai" exhibition; and various art exchange programs.
In Ha Tinh province, the activities include: the "Returning to the Land of Vi and Giam Folk Songs - Connecting the Quintessence of Heritage" Festival and the televised art program "The Two Shores of Vi and Giam Folk Songs"; the Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Vietnam inscribed by UNESCO; and the National Conference and Workshop to evaluate the work of preserving and promoting the value of the Vi and Giam folk song heritage of Nghe Tinh.
PV:Thank you for this conversation!
