Hai Phong: Performing Intangible Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO

On the evening of May 5, at the Hai Phong City Theater Square, the UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage Performance Program took place. That is "Vietnamese Ca Tru Singing" and "Practicing the Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship".

This is one of the activities to celebrate the 69th anniversary of Hai Phong Liberation Day (May 13, 1955 - May 13, 2024) and the Red Flamboyant Festival - Hai Phong 2024 .

Leaders of Hai Phong Department of Culture and Sports commended and recognized the contributions of artisans in preserving, maintaining, promoting and spreading the value of intangible cultural heritage at the program.

Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Hai Phong, said that Hai Phong is a city located in the Northern Delta, which preserves and conserves many types of folk cultural performances. Among them, “Ca Tru Singing of the Vietnamese” and “Practicing the worship of the Mother Goddess of the Three Realms of the Vietnamese” have been recognized by UNESCO. These are two unique art forms, of special significance in the treasure trove of Vietnamese history, closely associated with festivals, customs, beliefs, thoughts, and philosophies of life of the Vietnamese people.

The UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage Performance Program of Hai Phong City attracts a large number of locals and tourists.

Ca Tru used to hold a leading position in the traditional Vietnamese music. On October 1, 2009, at the session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Ca Tru was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection.

Vietnamese Ca Tru singing.

Currently, Ca Tru art in Hai Phong city has been strongly revived, attracting attention, especially from young people and the number of members participating in Ca Tru Club is also increasing. With the significance and importance in preserving and conserving intangible cultural values - Ca Tru art in Hai Phong as well as nationwide. The program of Performing Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hai Phong city recognized by UNESCO is an opportunity to affirm the vitality of Ca Tru art in Hai Phong city.

In addition, the Vietnamese belief in the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms is a belief of historical and cultural significance to Vietnam. On December 1, 2016, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO officially recognized the Vietnamese practice of the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Performance "Practicing the Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship"

The Vietnamese belief in the worship of the Three Realms of the Mother Goddesses is a synthesis of the indigenous religions of the Vietnamese people. The Mother Goddesses and deities in the Three Realms Temple originate not only from the Kinh people, but also from ethnic minorities in Vietnam such as the Muong, Tay, Nung, Dao, etc., demonstrating cultural exchange, equal relationships, and close ties between ethnic groups in Vietnam. This is a traditional art form, combining many elements, such as music, performance, lyrics, and costumes. The performances recreate the images of the saints descending to earth and being close to human life. Through the talent of the artisans, this traditional art form has been breathed into a new life, reflecting the breath of modern life.

The program is directed by the Department of Culture and Sports; implemented by the Hai Phong City Cultural Center with the participation of: Meritorious Artist Hoang Gia Bon, Meritorious Artist Pham Thi Doan Trang, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Thuy Sinh, Meritorious Artist Thu Hang, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Van Tuyen, Artist Nguyen Thi Thuan, Artist Tran Vu Tien, Artist Pham Thi Bang Ly, Xuan Dau Music Band (Thai Binh), singer Nguyen Thi Tham, singer Thuy La, singers and Dance Group of Hai Phong City Traditional Folk Arts Club, students of Ca Tru Class I, Nguyen Van To Primary School, officials (Drums, Gongs) of Ca Tru Club of Dong - Le Chan.

The performance "Gia Chau Be Bac Le" performed by Meritorious Artist Hoang Gia Bon

The performance "Price of Eight Bat Nan" (Bat Nan General Dong Nhung) performed by Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Thuy Sinh

The program consists of 2 parts. Part 1 is a performance of Vietnamese ca tru singing performances including: Hat noi to van chau "Hoa Phong Lan, Ngay hoi que em", singing "Guong anh hung (Tich Bach Dang)", singing and dancing "Don Dai Thach" (Old words)... Part 2 is a program of performances of the Vietnamese practice of worshipping the Mother Goddess of the Three Palaces with the performances "Gia Chau Be Bac Le", "Gia Chau Tam Bat Nan", "Cau Luc Cung Nuong", "Quan Hoang Muoi", "Cau Co Sau Luc Cung", "Cau Co Be Dong Cuong" "Cau Cau Be Doi Ngang"... In which, each type is a spiritual product, has historical and cultural value, expresses the identity of the community and is preserved from generation to generation.

Previously, on the evening of May 4, the City Cultural Center (Department of Culture and Sports of Hai Phong) organized the Hai Phong Street Art program at Tam Bac Lake and Nguyen Trai Flower Garden. The program is part of the "Street Art Project 2024". The activity attracted a large number of people and tourists inside and outside the city to enjoy.

At the performance venue on Tam Bac lake shore, there are stage magic activities; clowns performing shadow art; displaying paintings, art photos...

The performance at Nguyen Trai flower garden attracted a large number of tourists and the city's public to attend.

At the Nguyen Trai flower garden performance venue, traditional art performances were performed by artists, actors and the Han Nom Calligraphy Club; To he artisan Tong Thi Thuy Tam, Trang An Bien Music and Sanh Tien Dance Club; Hai Phong Chau Van and Hau Dong Club; Hai Phong Puppetry Art Troupe; Hai Phong Young Photography Club, Hai Phong Fine Arts Club.

In particular, the program has the participation of other activities such as Han Nom Calligraphy Art; Artistic photography exhibition; To he art; Direct drawing art... The interweaving of contemporary music venues and traditional Vietnamese folk music on the streets, along with spaces displaying paintings, art photos, and to he molding is a harmonious combination, creating conditions for visitors to have more experiences and understand more about the culture of the Port City.

At the Trumpet House (Nguyen Du flower garden), there is also an art performance program to serve the city's public every weekend. The program is part of the Project to organize cultural activities and art performances at the Trumpet House in Nguyen Du flower garden in the period 2023-2025.

Performing arts program serving the city's public every weekend at the Trumpet House

Accordingly, continuing to implement the Project of organizing cultural activities and art performances at the Trumpet House in Nguyen Du Flower Garden for the period 2023 - 2025, the Red Leaf Club will perform an art program with songs on the theme of love for the homeland, love for the country, praising the land and people of Hai Phong city such as: My hometown port; City of flowers lit up; Millions of roses; Dry sea; Boats and sea; Afternoon on the harbor; Into summer...

Hai Phong Street Art programs have created a unique culture for residents and tourists, creating a highlight for cultural and artistic activities in the city center. Thereby, contributing to promoting the unique cultural features of the City, directly promoting the land, culture and people of Hai Phong.

Thanh Son

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