On winter solstice days, when the scent of incense lingers in the air, people often reminisce about old things. And in the conversations of our writers, there are always stories about local scholars, people who are passionate about collecting and researching Ha Tinh culture.
Ha Tinh is a land rich in culture, generations of residents on the Ngan Hong strip of land all love culture and each person chooses their own way to express that love. In particular, the formation of the Local Studies Group (1991) initiated by Nguyen Ban, Vo Hong Huy, Thai Kim Dinh, Le Tran Suu, Ho Huu Phuoc has gathered many people who love Ha Tinh culture throughout the province, inspiring creativity for many writers.
The beauty of Ngan Truoi Lake . Photo by Dau Dinh Ha
Thanks to that, when cultural researchers compile local geography books or conduct cultural research, they always have the enthusiastic collaboration of these authors. Among them, appearing in many research works of Vo Hong Huy, Thai Kim Dinh and local geography books are writers such as: Vo Giap, Bui Thiet, Dang Thanh Que, Tran Huy Tao, Dang Viet Tuong, Pham Quang Ai, Nguyen Tri Son...
Vo Giap talks with the author of the article.
In the warm atmosphere of the beginning of the new year, we returned to Xuan Dan village to visit Mr. Vo Giap (born in 1935) - one of the people with many valuable works and articles about the cultural land of Nghi Xuan. In Mr. Giap's simple small house, the bookshelves are arranged neatly and scientifically. The books seem to be silently telling about the long years of attachment to a person with a deep love for the ancient capital of the land of poetry and music. Originally a teacher, it was not until his retirement (in 1992) that Mr. Vo Giap began his work as a local scholar.
Although he is nearly 90 years old, Vo Giap is still diligently researching.
He shared: “During my years as a teacher in my hometown Nghi Xuan, when I visited my students’ homes, I met many elders and listened to them tell many ancient stories of the villages and communes. I found them interesting and wrote them down to further serve my teaching process. Later, when I retired, I met elders Thai Kim Dinh and Vo Hong Huy - people who wrote many articles about local culture that I really enjoyed reading. When I shared with them the sources of materials I had, they encouraged me to write. From then on, I confidently started this job.”
In addition to the articles included in the research works compiled by Vo Hong Huy and Thai Kim Dinh, Vo Giap also published a number of books and had many articles published in specialized magazines. The most typical is the book "Ancient Nghi Xuan Commune" (awarded the Nguyen Du Prize in 2015). This is the book that he devoted the most effort to, the materials were collected and researched over 20 years. The book is also a valuable source of information for the communes in Nghi Xuan in the process of compiling local history.
Some books and research works of Vo Giap.
Now, at nearly 90 years old, his health is much poorer, but Mr. Vo Giap still does not stop reading and writing. In his study room, there are still many documents he has collected that have not been compiled, and there are still many unfinished research projects. "Currently, I am focusing on researching the worship customs of the Vietnamese people, some issues surrounding Nguyen Du and the Tale of Kieu. I still have many plans for the traditional culture of Ha Tinh and the nation. I will continue to do it until my hands can no longer write, my eyes can no longer read" - Mr. Giap shared.
Also a teacher, recently, Mr. Tran Quoc Thuong - former Principal of Nguyen Bieu Secondary School (Yen Ho - Duc Tho) is known as a new writer in the local cultural research community. Although he has never participated in any articles in the cultural research works of his predecessors, Mr. Thuong has had many research articles published in newspapers and magazines, which have been highly appreciated by the research community.
Teacher Tran Quoc Thuong by an ancient river wharf in Yen Ho village.
Mr. Thuong shared: “My writing career was inspired by the teacher and local scholar Le Tran Suu. Mr. Suu is the son-in-law of Yen Ho village. During the many times he returned to his hometown to research local culture, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with him. Knowing that I loved and learned about the village culture, Mr. Suu encouraged me: “Yen Ho has many good things, please write.”
And based on the collected and researched documents, I have written many research articles, expressing my views and perspectives on historical and cultural issues, famous people, and relics not only in Yen Ho but also in many regions of my homeland Ha Tinh. Among them, the most prominent are: The relationship between Nguyen Bieu, Ho Quy Ly, and Nguyen Trai; The bell at Chuc Thanh pagoda, a rare historical document; Three men carrying Yen Ho land during the Can Vuong period; Nguyen Bieu - the brave messenger; The story of Tien Do field; The origin of the Nguyen Tien Dien family; Did Su Hy Nhan pass the imperial examination...
From his articles, in 2020, teacher Tran Quoc Thuong compiled and published the book "A Perspective". The book shows the love of a teacher for the culture and history of his homeland, showing readers the spirit of exploration, creativity and the ever-changing worldview of a former teacher. Although the perspective is not necessarily accurate, it has created a useful reference channel for readers and those who are passionate about researching local culture.
“I want to preserve and promote the ancient capital of my hometown Yen Ho - Duc Tho as well as Ha Tinh. Therefore, in addition to going on field trips to collect, research and write, I also have another goal of restoring the ancient cultural space for the countryside of Ha Tinh, first of all in my hometown Yen Ho. Currently, I am continuing to mobilize resources to restore some pagodas, historical steles and riverside ferry terminals. I want the younger generations of the village to be provided with more knowledge about the culture and history of my hometown through many different forms,” Mr. Thuong expressed.
Talking with village elders is one of Mr. Quoc Thuong's "field work" methods.
Identifying the value and promoting the role of culture in each locality is an extremely important task in the current national development strategy. Ha Tinh province always considers culture as an endogenous source of strength, a resource for socio-economic development and increasing soft power. Researching and exploiting the values of traditional culture plays an important role in the process of socio-economic development.
Good cultural traditions play a role in fostering community spirit and national spirit. If they are not nurtured and continued, they will leave many consequences for culture and human souls. Therefore, local scholars or those who are passionate about researching local culture are one of the valuable resources. Through their works and research topics, many traditional cultural values are aroused and strongly promoted in life.
Nowadays, the first generation of the Ha Tinh Local Studies Group has all passed away, but their influence still strongly impacts the thoughts and actions of generations working on local studies. In agencies, schools, and villages, there are still many people who nurture the love and passion for cultural research, and the responsibility for preserving the ancient heritage of Ha Tinh. They are the bridges connecting the two banks of the new and the old in the homeland's cultural stream.
Mr. Hoai
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