Stories of people donating artifacts

In recent years, the movement of donating artifacts to museums and cultural and historical research units has spread more and more strongly among the people in the province. Among them, there are people who have donated all their souvenirs and noble awards during the war years, with the desire to pass on history to future generations.

Many individuals actively participated in donating artifacts, enriching the display spaces at the Provincial Museum. Photo: PV

Coming to the Provincial Museum to learn about the typical examples of donating artifacts, we could not help but be moved by the example of the loyal soldier of the Unnumbered Train, Dong Xuan Che (born in 1936, from Nghi Son town). It is known that on February 19, 1961, he joined the army and began his journey of dedicating his youth to the cause of national liberation. In September 1970, he was assigned as the first deputy captain on ship 54, Battalion 1, Regiment 125. With his bravery and intelligence, Mr. Dong Xuan Che quickly affirmed his commanding ability. In 1971, he was entrusted with the important responsibility of captain of ship 56, later changed to ship 649, Battalion 2, Regiment 125. During the years of arduous fighting, he and his comrades overcame many dangers, faced the enemy and the harshness of nature to excellently complete the mission.

After the war, in early 1976, he returned to participate in local economic development. With a heart that respects history and wishes to pass on the spirit of patriotism, in 2017, Mr. Dong Xuan Che returned all the most prestigious souvenirs and awards of his life, including: a naval officer's uniform; a naval cap; a badge for the Vietnamese elderly; a badge for the Vietnam Veterans Association; a logo for the Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea, a train without a number; a captain's badge; a commemorative medal "Ho Chi Minh Trail - Truong Son 19/5/1959"; a commemorative medal "Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea 23/10/1961"; a commemorative medal of the Vietnam Navy "For the cause of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands 7/5/1955"; a First and Second Class Resistance Medal; a Liberation Soldier Badge; a First and Second Class Exploit Medal; Medals of Glorious Vietnamese Soldiers, First, Second, Third Class... for Thanh Hoa Provincial Museum. That noble act not only demonstrates the noble qualities of a soldier of Uncle Ho but is also a profound lesson for the younger generation about patriotism and sacrifice.

As for Mr. Nguyen Huu Ngon (Hoang Hoa), many people still affectionately call him "Mr. Ngon of antiques". During his 35-year journey of pursuing his passion for collecting antiques, he has owned thousands of artifacts such as antique bicycles, antique oil lamps, antique clocks, stamps from different periods... In which, the number of artifacts that make up the majority of his collection are agricultural tools associated with the daily life of people in the Northern countryside, focusing on groups of agricultural tools for production, fishing, preservation and processing in agriculture and fisheries. Each artifact is carefully preserved by him, with clear notes of origin, demonstrating his respect and high sense of responsibility for history. Although he was so respectful and devoted, he did not keep it for himself. He donated hundreds of valuable artifacts to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Thanh Hoa Provincial Museum, Hoang Hoa District Traditional House... Among them are many valuable artifacts of him and his family such as: Third Class Resistance Medal; Medal for the cause of great national unity; Cooperative seal; bicycle; books...

Mr. Nguyen Huu Ngon donated a subsidy-era bicycle to the provincial museum.

Not only stopping at donating, “Mr. Ngon of antiques” also actively participates in exhibitions and traditional talks on each occasion of the “Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day” discussion organized by the Provincial Museum. With a simple and sincere voice, he enthusiastically recounts memories of his trips to collect artifacts. “There are items that I have to spend a lot of time, sometimes even a month of traveling and money to convince to own. Every time like that, I feel very appreciative and precious for the items I buy. But “giving away is forever” is the best way to protect, preserve and promote the tangible cultural values ​​that generations of ancestors have left behind,” Mr. Ngon shared.

With a deep love for his homeland's culture, Mr. Cao Ba Cac is a famous collector of antiques in Van Son commune (Trieu Son). Although he is over 70 years old, he still tirelessly travels around the countryside to search for valuable antiques associated with the culture and history of his homeland and country. He shared that many artifacts he found by chance in his daily life, thanks to his knowledge and certain understanding of archaeology, he realized the value of small artifacts that seemed to be discarded.

Over the decades, Mr. Cao Ba Cac has collected hundreds of artifacts dating from the Dong Son period, the Ly - Tran period to the Nguyen period. The axes, the axes with slanted blades, the bowls, the angos, the teapots... These are truly priceless treasures for antique collectors like him. Instead of keeping them for himself or selling them on the market, he chose to give them to the Provincial Museum so that the artifacts could be preserved and their value promoted in the best way. Along with that, he also regularly participates in propaganda work, mobilizing local people to notify the local authorities or the Provincial Museum when discovering artifacts for appropriate handling. His contributions have contributed significantly to the discovery and preservation of long-standing cultural and historical values ​​in Trieu Son in particular and Thanh Hoa in general.

Three people, three stories, three different journeys, but they met at a common point: love for their homeland and country, respect for cultural and historical values, and a sense of responsibility to the community. Director of the Provincial Museum Trinh Dinh Duong commented: “Mr. Dong Xuan Che, Mr. Nguyen Huu Ngon and Mr. Cao Ba Cac are 3 of nearly 20 outstanding individuals who have contributed a lot to the archives and artifacts of the Provincial Museum. Among them are typical medals, medals, and artifacts of the individual donors themselves, which have helped to supplement the groups of documents and artifacts that the Provincial Museum does not yet have. With the spirit of “donating to preserve”, these examples are the fulcrum for history to continue and traditional values ​​to continue to be preserved and promoted”.

PV Group

Final article: Preserving and promoting the value of artifacts: Many difficulties remain

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/bao-ton-phat-huy-gia-tri-hien-vat-viec-khong-de-bai-2-chuyen-ve-nhung-nguoi-hien-tang-hien-vat-245704.htm