Submit to UNESCO to include Binh Dinh traditional martial arts in the list of world cultural heritage

On the afternoon of March 29, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Dinh province said that the Government Office has just sent a document to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council regarding the submission of the dossier on Binh Dinh traditional martial arts to UNESCO.

Binh Dinh traditional martial arts performance

PHOTO: HAI PHONG

Accordingly, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh agreed to submit to the United NationsEducational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for consideration and inclusion of the intangible cultural heritage of Binh Dinh traditional martial arts in the list of representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. At the same time, he authorized the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to sign the dossier on behalf of the Government according to regulations.

The Deputy Prime Minister assigned the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and relevant agencies to carry out necessary procedures to send the dossier on Binh Dinh traditional martial arts heritage to UNESCO, ensuring the time limit according to the provisions of the 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the law on cultural heritage.

Preserved since the 18th century

On January 5, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Dinh province coordinated with the Institute of Cultural Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) to organize an international scientific conference on "Protecting and promoting intangible cultural heritage and traditional martial arts of Binh Dinh". The conference aimed to gather opinions from experts and researchers on intangible cultural heritage to complete the dossier on traditional martial arts of Binh Dinh to submit to UNESCO for consideration and inclusion in the list of representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The whole Binh Dinh province has 12,000 martial arts students.

PHOTO: HAI PHONG

At the workshop, Mr. Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that completing the dossier of Binh Dinh traditional martial arts to submit to UNESCO for inclusion in the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity is a national task, not only for the purpose of protecting the heritage for current and future generations, but also an opportunity to introduce the quintessence of Vietnamese culture to the world, affirming its position on the global cultural heritage map.

According to recorded documents, Binh Dinh traditional martial arts appeared very early. In 1471, under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, Hoai Nhon prefecture (present-day Binh Dinh land) was established, including 3 districts: Bong Son, Phu Ly and Tuy Vien, and Vietnamese people began to live here. Binh Dinh traditional martial arts also began to form during this period.

During the Tay Son period in the 18th century, to meet the combat needs of the uprising with a large scope and scale, traditional martial arts entered a new phase, a phase of qualitative change. This martial art is the crystallization and fusion of martial arts lines, martial arts schools and gathered many martial arts masters, martial arts officials, heroes and heroes, thereby creating a martial art lineage imbued with the quintessence of the nation. Since the Tay Son period, traditional martial arts have been preserved and developed.

Up to now, Binh Dinh province has 2 international grand masters, 26 national grand masters, 12 senior masters, 73 masters, 57 master standards, 415 coaches... Besides, there are also 177 martial arts schools and traditional martial arts clubs, with more than 12,000 martial arts students participating in regular training.

In 2012, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism listed Binh Dinh traditional martial arts as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trinh-unesco-dua-vo-co-truyen-binh-dinh-vao-danh-muc-di-san-van-hoa-nhan-loai-185250329152231363.htm