Preserving and promoting the value of Khmer festivals in new life

CREATE CONSENSUS

Vinh Trach Dong (Bac Lieu City) is a locality with more than 70% of the population being Khmer, and owning the magnificent Xiem Can pagoda, so large-scale festivals often take place here. In recent years, the locality has integrated the movement to build a cultural life, especially the rules for building civilized residential areas associated with preserving the traditional culture of the Khmer people. From there, helping people form civilized behaviors in festivals, contributing to building a healthy cultural environment for the village.

Ms. Phan Thanh Thao - Vice Chairman of Vinh Trach Dong Commune People's Committee, said: "To preserve the beauty of Khmer festivals in the new life, the commune has promoted the role of prestigious people to gradually bring the movement of building cultural families and civilized residential areas into awareness, creating consensus among the people. In particular, regulations on participating in festivals are included in the criteria for evaluating the title of Cultural Family at the end of the year. From creative and practical ways, people's awareness of preserving the beauty of festivals has been raised, and behaviors such as violating the Law on Order and Road Traffic Safety, bad customs, superstitions, taking advantage of festivals for profit, etc. have been gradually eliminated".

Along with improving the effectiveness of propaganda work, the Commune People's Committee also has many forms of support for the development of teams and groups operating in the field of Khmer folk culture and arts such as: monkey-horse dance team, chhay-dam drum dance; organizing a boat racing competition (symbolizing Ngo boat)... to serve festivals and raise people's sense of responsibility in preserving traditional cultural identity.

Khmer festivals are gradually being organized in a civilized manner, in accordance with regulations on building cultural life. Illustration photo: HT

JOIN HANDS TO SEPARATE THE MUDDY AND REVEAL THE CLEAR

Arriving at Hung Hoi commune (Vinh Loi district), we were amazed by the spaciousness of the concrete road in Cai Gia hamlet which has just been upgraded by the State and the people. On the flat road stretching to the end of Cai Gia pagoda, many newly built houses with rows of green fences and colorful ornamental flowers brighten up the face of the hamlet. Having a new "shirt" like today is thanks to the locality and the people actively implementing two major movements: All people unite to build a cultural life and build a new countryside.

Seeing the benefits of the movement to build a cultural life in preserving and promoting Khmer cultural values, many families in the hamlet have taken practical actions, creating a strong influence. For example, contributing funds to organize cultural and sports activities during the festival; supporting children to participate in Khmer art teams and groups; reminding family members to behave civilly when participating in the festival...

Mr. Tra Sol (Cai Gia hamlet) shared: “With the development of modern life, the preservation of traditional festivals must also comply with the regulations on building a civilized lifestyle. This requires the cooperation of each family and each person through wearing traditional costumes, maintaining security and order, and behaving properly when participating in rituals and entertainment activities. With this in mind, I often remind my children and grandchildren to join hands to clarify the festival, specifically eliminating illegal and wasteful customs.”

Along with the appearance, the cultural life of people in areas with a large Khmer population is increasingly flourishing. Traditional festivals are increasingly promoting their inherent beauty, contributing to the construction and development of an advanced national culture with strong identity.

Long life

Source: https://www.baobaclieu.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/bao-ton-phat-huy-gia-tri-le-hoi-khmer-trong-doi-song-moi-99878.html