Besides the cultural values of traditional Tet that are preserved, new elements have appeared. How to respond to Tet in modern times and how to have a happy, warm and stress-free Tet?
The debates about old and new values continue to be raised every time Tet comes and Spring comes. When talking about Tet, many people talk about being “afraid” of Tet, but many people still “like” Tet. After many changes of the times, up to now, the concept of Tet has changed a lot. Vietnamese people seem to be aiming to shape new ways of celebrating Tet, suitable for the conditions of modern society…
Is the traditional Tet holiday really “scary” or is it just the way we perceive, behave, and express it? How should we respond to Tet so that we can have traditional Tet holidays that are still imbued with culture, still the sacred family and national customs, but without the pressure that makes people “fear” Tet? Folklore researcher Nguyen Hung Vi shared with NB&CL about this issue.
+ Every Tet holiday, we hear many complaints about “tired of Tet”, “too much work at home for Tet”… Is it true that modern Tet brings us too much pressure, sir?
- Tet is a very special time, so the pressure of Tet is real and comes from many sides. The pressure of Tet is an eternal thing. In the past, people worried about Tet the whole year before but often couldn't. Tet in the past was a Tet lacking in advance, lacking in later, everything was difficult. But in times of war and poverty, there was pressure then and now there is pressure now, the future will have pressure in the future. Broadly speaking, there is nothing that doesn't have pressure. No matter how poor you are now, everyone can have a Tet without too much material deprivation. But the pressure of Tet now is that people have too high expectations. People compete with each other, people compare themselves, when you have this, I have to have it too and more. People have too high expectations and they suffer because they don't meet their expectations. Then there is the mental pressure, for well-off people it's okay but for low-income people, sometimes simple things like gifts for parents, lucky money for children sometimes have to be calculated.
Some people also complain about being tired because of Tet, which I think is true for workers who work like machines all year round, then there are parties during Tet, and relatives in the countryside, it is really tiring. But in general, there are many services now, people are no longer too tired, not too pressured about cooking, taking care of the family anymore, so this is not too big of a problem. If there is pressure on someone, on a certain occasion, we should join hands to organize work together and enjoy the joy of sharing together, do not consider it a burden.
+ Tet is a time to relax, to slow down and feel life… It seems that there are more and more opinions supporting this way of thinking. How do you view this desire?
- Relaxing, living slowly, contemplating life... are just a few of the many ways to enjoy Tet. That desire is admirable. As for me, I like to reflect more. At the end of the old year, entering the new year, I often want to see how I have lived and how I should live in the future. Having a time to calmly think when everyday life is too hectic and stressful is also a good thing. But there are people who want to rest because they are tired, like the worker who worked hard all year round I mentioned above, so we should also understand their needs. However, we cannot abandon social relationships because of "rest". We should arrange a harmonious life, not extreme. Relaxing by drinking alcohol like a sink is not good. Living slowly by avoiding all communication is also not good. Entertainment by gambling is even worse. Thinking full of worries can easily lead to depression. So it is also about feeling life but what choice and how to act is what is important.
+ If in a family where both parents believe that they only need to organize a minimalist Tet, not much different from normal days… then how can the next generations still feel the traditional Tet atmosphere with good cultural values? What will happen when the idea of “minimalist Tet” becomes popular in society?
- Minimalism is a pretty “hot” choice these days and can be applied during Tet. We should respect their choice because it is useful for individuals and humanity. However, we also need to see that it is an extreme behavior, contrary to a wasteful, ostentatious lifestyle and in my opinion, using one extreme against another is also not good.
Our ancestors had a lot of experience in behaving in a very appropriate way in each situation. They valued a frugal, simple, reasonable and emotional lifestyle. "Paying according to the money", "Paying little but being sincere" - a nation that has been poor for a long time has created the value of that lifestyle. That is a way of living not only for oneself but also "looking at each other and living". Tet is a cultural heritage with a profound community character, it is best for us to be in harmony with everyone to celebrate together. In the current conditions, we should also simplify Tet, but we should not ignore the things that belong to the value system. For example, the value of community cohesion, the value of looking back to the roots... You can be simple in many relationships, but your polite behavior must be serious and exemplary, such as dressing properly, speaking properly, respecting the elderly... Those things are not expensive, do not cost money but are very meaningful in education, setting an example for children to look at and follow.
Cultural researcher Nguyen Hung Vi. Photo: NVCC.
Personally, I am not too worried that the idea of “minimalist Tet” will become popular. The concept of “minimalist Tet” is not present in many people, in society, most people still want a happy and reunited Tet for the whole family. We have witnessed too many “fevers”, “outbreaks”, “waves”, and noisy “heresies”. But then, life has its own way of adjusting itself. It is not natural that Tet has existed for thousands of years. What is in accordance with the law, with morality, goodness, and beauty will always be sustainable and last as long as Tet.
+ Obviously, the good values of Tet cannot be denied. But development is an inevitable trend, and whether we like it or not, it still affects culture as well as Tet culture. Recent changes have made many people confused in choosing between preserving traditional cultural beauty to create a Tet atmosphere in the house, and choosing a simple way to celebrate Tet. Do you think there is a possible "answer" that can reconcile this?
- The contradiction between “minimalist Tet” and the tradition of celebrating Tet with the community will not need to be raised because it is not a really important issue. What is important is many other things such as waste, traffic accidents, counterfeit goods, fraud, violence, food safety and hygiene… Many things need to be raised because of their urgency. “Tet minimalism” can be self-adjusted. That is for sure.
But if anyone is concerned, I would like to emphasize that Tet has many values, the best way is for each person to have an appropriate way of behaving, depending on their circumstances. The appropriate way of behaving is to take the good values of Tet as the core values. Those are the values of reunion, harmony, and the desire for new things in the new year. Let's be optimistic and positive, release the pressure of Tet from our psychology, don't push it too hard, the same goes for society. We can behave with Tet gently, so that it is less difficult and less stressful for us, but we must share the sympathy, multiply that sympathy, and spread to everyone the spirit of simplicity but altruism.
That said, there has not been any sociological research that clearly shows the number of people who look forward to Tet and those who “fear” Tet to compare scientifically. The problem is adjusting the way you behave towards Tet so that you can live peacefully… Complaining too much creates a feeling of frustration, which is disadvantageous for yourself and affects those around you. Laughing happily in the face of challenges is an effective remedy.
Personally, I consider Tet as a special cultural heritage, it carries a system of human values and community cultural identity. The best way, like other cultural heritages, is to understand, preserve, promote and publicize its good cultural values.
+ Thank you!
T.Toan (Implementation)
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