Strengthening festival management
(Baonghean)In recent times, the organization of festivals in localities has always attracted large numbers of people from all walks of life, thereby contributing to the preservation of traditional cultural values and having a positive impact on spiritual life. However, not all festivals create a positive impression; many distorted and negative activities still exist. Entering this year's festival season, the Ministry of Culture and the localities organizing the festivals are working to rectify this situation.
In previous years, during the festival season, superstitious practices such as fortune-telling, spirit possession, card games, burning votive paper, and begging; traffic violations, pickpocketing, environmental sanitation issues, loud music in sacred places, parking violations, and overpriced goods... occurred in almost all festival venues, diminishing the beauty and cultural values of the festivals.
It's not difficult to identify the causes of the distorted and negative practices: Firstly, the space for organizing festivals is limited, but the number of visitors is too large, causing chaos and traffic congestion, creating opportunities for private businesses to raise service prices. Secondly, the competition among localities in organizing festivals leads to an imbalance between investment resources and organizational effectiveness. In addition, the negative impact of the market has led to misconceptions about the purpose of organizing festivals, with pragmatism spreading to organizers and sponsors. Some places consider festival sites as a local resource, focusing only on exploiting economic value, thus diminishing the cultural identity of the festival. In many places, the organizing committees, to varying degrees, have imposed pre-determined scenarios, diminishing the initiative and creativity of the people – the main subjects of the festival. From the perspective of the local people, the culture of communication and behavior during the festival is still weak, and the sense of responsibility among tourists is poor, such as littering indiscriminately and burning votive paper excessively, disregarding the regulations of the festival organizers.
Cờn Temple Festival.
Entering the 2013 festival season, practical requirements show the need for more effective measures to ensure security and order and preserve the beautiful cultural traditions of the nation and homeland during festival activities. Mr. Pham Tien Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated: Drawing on lessons learned from previous years' festival organization, this year the department promptly sent the festival organization plan to all relevant levels to ensure thorough preparation. In addition, the department will strengthen inspection and correction of negative, uncivilized behaviors, superstitious activities, and those affecting the landscape and ecological environment; and address some folk festivals that exhibit signs of adulteration, borrowing, or alteration that distort traditional rituals and festivals, diminishing national identity, or the practice of setting up multiple altars and donation boxes. Extensive public awareness campaigns should be conducted to help people understand the value of the festival, the merits of the historical figures, the importance of protecting places of worship, preserving the environment and landscape, and the regulations governing the festival that have been issued…
To establish order and civility at the festival, the role and responsibility of local authorities and festival organizers are immense. Preparing for this year's festival season, localities have made thorough preparations with a determination to strengthen management and rectify any negative incidents or problems that may occur during the festival. Mr. Ho Ngoc Dung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luu District and Head of the Organizing Committee of the Corn Temple Festival, said: “To ensure security and order for the 2013 festival, the district has directed the police force to coordinate with communes such as Quynh Phuong and Quynh Di, and the border guard force in the area to set up checkpoints and patrol; aiming to completely resolve traffic congestion and public disorder, begging, and gambling. Especially on the opening night, the district and the organizing committee will increase forces to prevent potential incidents of spectators clinging to vehicles or pickpocketing. Regarding fire prevention and control, the organizing committee has contracted with Hoang Mai Cement Company for a permanent fire truck; on the day of the boat race, the district will coordinate with border guard boats and fishermen to ensure safety; on shore, there will be forces to maintain order and prevent any potential pushing and shoving…”
Dien Chau District also has a specific plan to ensure safety for the Cuong Temple Festival. Mr. Vo Sy Tai, Head of the District's Culture and Information Department, said: "The district's plan has specific assignments for each force and locality, focusing on eliminating superstitious activities; minimizing the indiscriminate burning of incense during rituals; preventing crimes such as theft of property and organized gambling outside of sports activities like cockfighting and volleyball; supplementing ceremonial equipment; directing Dien An commune to have 10 people take care of cleaning inside the temple, while students will be responsible for cleaning the festival grounds at the end of each day throughout the festival..."
Nghi Loc District has also directed Nghi Hop commune to plan a separate recreational area away from the traditional ceremony area of the Nguyen Xi Temple Festival. Mr. Nguyen Khac Chat, Deputy Director of the District Cultural Center, said: Separating the two areas will create better conditions for managing the festival as well as expanding cultural, artistic, sports activities and folk games. This year, the district is absolutely committed to preventing gambling and games with prizes…
In reality, for the festival to be held safely and to fully promote its inherent values, besides the responsibilities of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, local authorities, and the festival organizing committee, the awareness of the people participating is also very important. First, people should learn about the content of the festival, the time of organization, and the location to be proactive when attending; in addition, people attending the festival should comply with the regulations of the festival organizing committee, be conscious of preserving the landscape and environment of the festival venue, and practice civilized behavior in public places… Hopefully, with the active involvement of all levels and sectors plus the awareness of the people, this year's festival season in the province will be safe, solemn, and retain its cultural significance, creating a beautiful impression on everyone who participates.
Text and photos: Nguyen Thanh Chung
