Consideration for awarding the title "Meritorious Artisan": Need to speed up progress!

(Baonghean) - On August 7, 2014, Decree 62/2014/ND-CP of the Government regulating the awarding of the titles of People's Artisan (NNND) and Meritorious Artisan (NNUT) in the field of intangible cultural heritage officially took effect.

And on August 8, 2014, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued the Plan to consider and award the title of “Excellent Artisan” in the field of intangible cultural heritage for the first time - 2015. This is considered a turning point in honoring and realizing the support for artisans, demonstrating the State’s interest in preserving and promoting intangible cultural values. However, how to effectively implement and at the same time guide artisans to follow the procedures in accordance with regulations is also a concern of relevant levels and sectors.

A performance at the Nghe Tinh Vi and Dam Folk Song Festival 2014. Photo: Xuan Tam

These days, Mr. Tran Van Tu - Head of the Kim Lien, Nam Dan Vi Phuong Vai Singing Club is very excited because at the age of nearly 90, after more than 25 years of participating in preserving and teaching the precious heritage left by his ancestors, for the first time the Party and State have decided to confer the title of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist to recognize the contributions of the elders in the field of intangible cultural heritage. Mr. Tu is excited: "Having been passionate about singing Phuong Vai since childhood, my two sisters (my elder sister is folk artist Tran Thi Em - over 90 years old this year) both participate in activities at the Club". As a farmer, seasonal producer, when he was young, in addition to farming, Mr. Tu also worked for hire to earn extra income to support his wife and children, and had funds to contribute to the Club to indulge his passion. Although he is old and weak, his passion for the fabric guild is still very strong, and he was elected by his brothers to be the club's chairman, so he is very concerned: How to maintain effective meetings, attract young members, and teach them so that if he "goes to the other world" in the future, he will not have any regrets. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's plan to consider awarding the title of Meritorious Artisan in 2015 has given the elders new hope, because as Mr. Tu said, "after waiting forever, the day will come when the Party and the State will recognize him". However, what Mr. Tu is most concerned about is that although the Government has made a decision, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has made a plan for the provinces to submit to the provincial Emulation Council by September 30, 2014 at the latest, but up to now, Mr. Tu and the folk artists of the Kim Lien - Nam Dan fabric guild singing club have not received any instructions from the district or provincial Department of Culture on how to complete the procedures.

We went to Nghi Trung Folk Song Club, Nghi Loc, and met Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Duyen - who has been participating in the club for over 20 years and was also the club's chairman. For the past two years, his health has been poor, so he cannot participate as regularly as before. But when it comes to folk songs, his passion is still burning as ever. Mr. Duyen said: Joining the club with passion, voluntarily, we do not ask for any regime or policy from the Party, the State, or the local government, but sometimes we feel sad, our contributions are not recognized by anyone. Now that the Party and the State have decided to confer the title of Meritorious Artisan to those who have made many contributions to the cause of preserving intangible cultural heritage, it is an exciting thing.

According to statistics, each year the province has about 20 different large and small festivals. Most of the festivals have folk performing activities belonging to the category of intangible culture that require the creative participation and performance of folk artists. The important thing is that the province is currently maintaining hundreds of folk song, folk music, and folk dance clubs with more than 20 folk artists who have been awarded titles. They are truly creative subjects, those who hold and pass on folk cultural values ​​from generation to generation. The Decree of the Prime Minister has just been issued, creating a legal corridor for State management agencies to develop preferential treatment and policies for folk artists, especially intangible cultural artists. Accordingly, artisans, artists, and actors performing folk culture will also be awarded the titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist.

Mr. Pham Tien Dung - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said: "After receiving the plan from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Department assigned the Cultural Heritage Division to directly advise and plan for widespread implementation throughout the province. We are confident that we will complete the dossier as soon as possible, to proceed with the awarding at the provincial council and higher councils. However, what we are most concerned about now is the preparation of the dossier. Because many artisans are old, or ethnic minority artisans do not even know the national language... Especially in the dossier, it is required to have documents proving knowledge, skills and contributions to the cause of protecting intangible cultural heritage including: tapes, video discs, photos describing the knowledge and skills they possess; and many other documents. In that situation, we will also request relevant departments and branches, especially local authorities: if any artisan does not complete the dossier themselves, the authorities and cadres will be responsible for the dossier. The communal culture needs to be proactive and active in helping them. Because if we are indifferent and slow, it will not only be a disadvantage for the artisans but also a disadvantage for ourselves. This is an extremely important issue for us to once again affirm the longevity and preservation through many generations of intangible cultural heritage, including Nghe folk songs - that is very important for UNESCO to move towards recognizing Nghe folk songs as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

In addition to awarding titles and providing material support, the authorities should continue to pay attention and support artisans to continue performing, teaching, and preserving traditional values. The title of Meritorious Artisan will be admired by the people and have a widespread influence on the community, especially the younger generation, if the authorities coordinate with the awarded artisans to organize performances, lectures, establish classes, etc., thereby promoting the value of the title of Meritorious Artisan in the community in a sustainable way. And our province should also have a way like Bac Ninh to encourage and motivate artisans. That is, before the decree was issued, Bac Ninh province had provided specific support for Quan Ho folk artists every month with a minimum basic salary; supported with health insurance premiums; and enjoyed the funeral allowance regime applied to civil servants and state employees.

Thanh Thuy