Preserving national culture with both mind and heart

For a long time, Meritorious Artisan Kray Suc and Artisan Ho Van Hoi have considered preserving the quintessence left by their ancestors as their duty. Recently, the two sons of the mountains and forests of Quang Tri were honored to go to Hanoi to participate in a conference to honor village elders, village chiefs, artisans, and prestigious people who have made many contributions to the activities of preserving, maintaining, and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic groups. On this occasion, Quang Tri Newspaper reporters had a conversation with the two artisans.

-First of all, congratulations to Meritorious Artist Kray Suc and artisan Ho Van Hoi for being recognized and awarded at the national conference organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. How do the two artisans feel when receiving this good news?

- Meritorious Artist Kray Suc: I am very happy to be present at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village in Dong Mo, Son Tay, Hanoi to attend the conference to honor village elders, village chiefs, artisans, and prestigious people who have made many contributions to the activities of preserving, maintaining, and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic groups. Coming to the conference, I had the opportunity to meet and exchange with those who "keep the fire" of ethnic culture and participate in many meaningful activities. In particular, we had the opportunity to convey to the leaders of the Party and State our thoughts and aspirations in preserving ethnic culture. This is a beautiful memory that I will never forget.

- Artisan Ho Van Hoi : Like Meritorious Artist Kray Suc, I am very happy, honored and proud to be selected to attend the conference organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Compared to most delegates, I am still young. Therefore, I pay attention to learning and acquiring knowledge so that I can contribute more to the preservation, maintenance and promotion of the traditional cultural values ​​of the nation.

- Over the past time, how have artisans tried to preserve, maintain and promote the traditional cultural values ​​of their nation?

-Artisan Ho Van Hoi: Up to now, I have spent more than 20 years working together to preserve, maintain and promote the traditional cultural values ​​of the Van Kieu ethnic group. At first, when I saw that brocade weaving was fading away, I went to school to preserve the craft. After brocade weaving, the gradual disappearance of folk songs and traditional musical instruments made me worry and get involved. In addition to brocade weaving, I also know many traditional crafts; can use about 10 musical instruments of the Van Kieu people; collect and preserve dozens of folk songs... I have been to many villages to teach and share about what I have preserved and preserved.

Meritorious Artist Kray Suc (third from right to left) talks with young people about the cultural beauty of the Pa Ko people - Photo: TL

- Meritorious Artist Kray Suc: I have spent nearly half of my life preserving, maintaining and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of the Pa Ko people. I have used many methods such as: collecting, composing and participating in performing folk songs; making and using musical instruments; studying, recording and restoring good customs and practices; translating songs with ancient lyrics... Previously, I sold a buffalo to have funds to take photos with some passionate Pa Ko people and organize an exhibition about the life and traditional cultural beauty of our people. Like artisan Ho Van Hoi, I have had the opportunity to visit many villages of the Van Kieu and Pa Ko people to share what I have distilled and preserved. In 2015, I was honored to receive the title of Meritorious Artist.

- What motivates artisans to do this unpaid work?

- Meritorious Artist Kray Suc : In my opinion, each ethnic group has its own origin, history, flow and story. That is what helps that ethnic group survive until today. The Pa Ko ethnic group is the same. I am always proud to have Pa Ko blood in me. It is that blood that has urged me to always want to contribute to my ethnic group. During my time as a communal cultural officer, I realized that if culture is lost, the Pa Ko people will lose their roots. Therefore, I have made efforts to preserve, maintain and promote the good values ​​of my ethnic group. Starting from awareness, I have liked and loved this job without realizing it. Until now, despite my old age and weak health, I still make efforts to continue the journey.

- Artisan Ho Van Hoi: I was born and raised in Pa Nho village, Khe Sanh town, Huong Hoa district. From a very young age, I saw my mother weaving brocade, my father playing the flute, and my grandparents singing folk songs... My love for the traditional cultural values ​​of the Van Kieu ethnic group grew naturally and closely like that. Growing up, seeing my peers and the younger generation not very interested in traditional musical instruments, brocade costumes, folk songs..., I felt uneasy. Therefore, I felt the need to act to preserve the cultural values ​​of my people. I am very happy that my efforts have been recognized, cared for, and supported by all levels and sectors.

- In the process of joining hands to preserve, maintain and promote the traditional values ​​of their nation, what concerns do the two artisans have?

- Artisan Ho Van Hoi : In recent times, all levels and sectors have paid much attention to preserving, maintaining and promoting the traditional values ​​of the nation. However, these efforts have not brought about the desired results. Faced with many choices, some young people often turn their backs on the good values ​​of their nation. Meanwhile, artisans face difficulties because they cannot make a living with their traditional profession and passion. Every day, I spend a session weaving brocade. However, the products I make do not always have buyers.

- Meritorious Artist Kray Suc : I have been to many rural areas, met many Van Kieu and Pa Ko people to pass on traditional cultural values. Besides the beautiful memories, the trips also left me with many concerns. Currently, a part of Van Kieu and Pa Ko people are not deeply aware of preserving, maintaining and promoting traditional values. Some people do not want to share the beauty that they have been passed down, acquired and help it spread. The preservation of traditional values ​​is still seasonal, only when there is a festival does it flourish like a shower. Currently, I and other artisans are having difficulty recording and preserving the things that our ancestors left behind.

- So, according to the two artisans, what do we need to do to preserve, maintain and promote the traditional values ​​of our nation?

- Meritorious Artist Kray Suc: I think, to preserve, maintain and promote traditional values, we must have a specific, long-term strategy, plan and action program. In addition, creating a favorable environment helps people see the good, the beautiful and be more aware of preserving the good customs and practices of our nation. In addition to big festivals, we can organize smaller-scale programs such as art performances, competitions... in villages. Currently, some localities and units have brought the beauty of ethnic culture into school hours and extracurricular activities. I think this is a good way to do it and should be expanded. We need to help the younger generation understand and join hands to preserve ethnic culture with both mind and heart.

- Artisan Ho Van Hoi: I also agree with Meritorious Artist Kray Suc. Participating in the conference organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently, I saw that the delegates also shared many good recommendations, similar to my thoughts. Specifically, authorities at all levels need to issue directive documents to restore, preserve and develop ethnic culture; have mechanisms and policies to support funding to restore traditional cultural features; organize the collection, preservation and introduction of cultural forms and folk arts of ethnic groups to promote tourism; pay attention to promoting the traditional cultural identity of ethnic groups associated with the development of community tourism... Increasing investment in cultural institutions at the grassroots level and having policies on material and spiritual treatment for artisans and cultural officials working in extremely difficult areas and ethnic minority areas is also extremely necessary.

- Thank you two artists!

Tay Long (performed)

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/giu-gin-van-hoa-dan-toc-bang-ca-khoi-oc-lan-trai-tim-186521.htm