Illuminating the culture of ethnic minorities in schools in Ky Son.
The establishment of Ethnic Arts Clubs in schools in the mountainous region of Ky Son is an innovative approach that contributes to preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, and awakens pride and love for the homeland in each student.
Ky SonKy Son is a land rich in cultural traditions, home to many ethnic minority groups such as the Thai, Khmu, and Hmong. Each ethnic group is a unique color in this diverse cultural tapestry. Preserving and promoting this identity is an important part of educating the younger generation. To realize this, Ky Son Ethnic Boarding Secondary School has pioneered the establishment of the Ethnic Arts Club – a place to nurture a love of folk culture among its students.
Ky Son Ethnic Boarding Secondary School has 420 students from 5 different ethnic minority groups.
Ms. Le Na, the school's Vice Principal, said: "The school has always been concerned about how to incorporate folk culture into the educational program. This is what motivated us to establish an art club that is rich in national cultural identity."
After much effort and mobilization from social resources, Ky Son Ethnic Boarding Secondary School has acquired traditional musical instruments including various types of stringed instruments, flutes, and many other ethnic instruments.
Currently, 87 talented students of the Ethnic Arts Club at Ky Son Ethnic Boarding Secondary School regularly hold one art activity session per week.
In the music group, students learn familiar folk melodies of their ethnic group while experiencing the graceful dances of the Hmong people, the charm of the Thai dances, and the distinctive sounds of Khmu folk songs. Notably, the school also invites folk artists to teach, helping students gain a deeper understanding of the origins and essence of each melody.
In the art group, students have the opportunity to recreate the poetic and majestic landscapes of the high mountains. Paintings depicting the blooming peach blossoms of Muong Long in the spring, the bustling Nam Can border market, or the beloved school nestled at the foot of the mountains... have spread a love of nature to the community through social media platforms.
Although the Ethnic Arts Club of Ky Son Ethnic Boarding Secondary School has been effective in preserving and promoting the ethnic cultural identity of its students, according to Mr. Hoang Van Son, Deputy Head of the Education Department of Ky Son District, replicating this model in other schools in the area still faces many difficulties. “The biggest difficulty is the limited facilities. Finding artisans with a deep understanding of ethnic cultures to teach is also not easy. Besides, the number of teachers with expertise in art is small, insufficient to regularly organize high-quality activities. Another challenge is how to maintain the appeal and avoid becoming monotonous and boring for students,” Mr. Hoang Van Son lamented.
Despite facing many challenges, the Education Department of Ky Son district remains confident in replicating this model. In the coming time, the Education Department will continue to seek support to upgrade facilities and encourage other schools to establish their own art clubs. In addition, cultural exchange programs between schools will be organized to expand creative spaces, giving students opportunities to learn from each other and access more traditional art forms.
