Bridge to preserve local cultural identity

BDK - Amidst the strong changes of modern life, traditional values ​​are at risk of being forgotten. As the voice of the community and homeland, local press has persistently carried out the task of preserving and spreading regional cultural identity. In the province, the land known as the "homeland of Coconut", where the cultural characteristics of the Southern river region are marked, the role of the press in preserving cultural identity has become even more important and urgent.

Ba Tri students visit a facility that makes yeast for traditional wine production. Photo: PH. Han

Honoring cultural heritage

The province is not only known as the homeland of the Dong Khoi movement, but also a land with many unique folk cultural values ​​such as: Don Ca Tai Tu, Hat Sac Bua... traditional craft villages such as: making coconut candy, rice paper, rice crackers, weaving, mat making... Those values, if not recorded, preserved and spread, will gradually fade away in today's modern life.

In that context, Dong Khoi Newspaper, Ben Tre Radio and Television Station, and the grassroots broadcasting system at district and commune levels have been making efforts to reflect, introduce and preserve indigenous culture. The team of journalists in the province strives to fulfill their role as persistent "recorders" for the cultural flow of their homeland. Without noise or fanfare, each page of the newspaper, each news bulletin, each report every day lights up the flame of love, attachment and pride in the nation's roots.

If you are a regular reader of the provincial newspaper, you will easily notice that for many years, Dong Khoi Newspaper has maintained the arrangement of the cultural - social page on page 6 - 7 with hundreds of in-depth articles about relics, historical figures, and folk artists. Thanks to the press, many young people today know about the special national relic of Nguyen Dinh Chieu Tomb and Memorial Site, Nguyen Thi Dinh Memorial Site, Tuyen Linh Pagoda - where Vice President Nguyen Sinh Sac (father of President Ho Chi Minh) once stopped, or traditional craft villages and many other cultural values ​​of the Coconut Land.

The press not only reflects but also contributes to evoking pride and nurturing the awareness of preserving identity in the community. Some artisans such as: "Artisan Son Ba, with coconut musical instruments" or "King of ornamental animals" - ornamental animal artisan Nam Cong, who has been involved in creating animal mascots from banyan trees for many years, are introduced through the cultural and artistic section of Dong Khoi Newspaper. National ornamental animal artisan Tran Chien Dau, in Mo Cay Nam, is honored on Ben Tre Radio and Television, opening up a direction for preserving and passing on the profession to the younger generation.

In addition, programs such as: Discovering the Coconut Land of Ben Tre Radio and Television are not only places for real experiences, discovering the unique features of the Coconut Land but also historical stories and local traditional customs, helping the audience have a vivid and authentic perspective of this land.

Important bridge

Ben Tre press is also a place where people express their thoughts and concerns about heritage conservation. Many articles reflect the deterioration of relics such as: Tien Thuy Communal House (Chau Thanh District), Phu Le Communal House (Ba Tri District), Phu Thuan Communal House (Binh Dai District)... or "Finding the grave of Do Chieu's mother" were published in Dong Khoi Newspaper. Through these reflections, local authorities promptly intervened to restore and protect. At the same time, connecting the cultural - tourism sector with local people to develop sustainable culture. Since then, the press has become an important bridge between people and management levels in protecting spiritual and cultural values.

With a simple, straightforward, and sincere writing style, using beauty to eliminate ugliness, local newspapers have touched the hearts of readers. For example, the story of Bui Thi Nhu An - a student of Tan Thach Secondary School (Chau Thanh) who won the contest "Youth studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality, and style", and student Dao Duy Khuong - Huynh Tan Phat Secondary School (Binh Dai) who won first prize at the national level and third prize at the international level at the 52nd UPU International Letter Writing Competition, published in the provincial newspaper, has strongly inspired young people.

Nguyen Quoc Duy - a 4th year student at the Ho Chi Minh City National University Branch in the province shared: "Following the Facebook of Dong Khoi Newspaper, Ben Tre Radio and Television Station, I have gained a lot of knowledge through the articles of the reporters. Through that, I myself learn and accumulate, apply in the learning process and constantly strive to contribute to society, spreading positive values ​​in life".

Preserving culture does not mean preserving the original, unchanging state, but preserving the core in movement and adaptation to the times. The strength of local journalism does not lie in modern technology, eye-catching images or high views, but in the trust and companionship with the people. It is these articles and news that have contributed to awakening the love of homeland and cultural pride in every Ben Tre citizen.

Former teacher Phan Nghi Tien shared: “I often share articles from Dong Khoi Newspaper with teachers in the Zalo group to spread the cultural values ​​of my hometown through good examples, good models or young entrepreneurs. Through the press, retired teachers can grasp information and cultural life that exists every day right in their hometown.”

The province is entering a new stage of development with many opportunities and challenges. In this process, Dong Khoi Newspaper, Ben Tre Radio and Television Station are always the “fire keepers”, keeping the information flow smooth, keeping the people’s voices respected and above all keeping the soul of the Coconut land from fading away amidst countless changes.

“Preserving cultural identity is the responsibility of the entire political system and society, in which each community is an important subject. The press, especially the local press, is an effective channel and means to reflect and guide the activities of preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the community. Each news, article, image, and everyday story published in newspapers and radio does not only provide information but also serves as a reminder for the values ​​of origin and traditional culture to be naturally absorbed into life. The local press cannot stand outside the process of preserving cultural identity, so provincial journalists must always have the same heartbeat to create press products that have the same rhythm of contemporary life but carry the breath of traditional culture, to contribute to becoming the keeper of cultural souls in the present era”.

(Director of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Trung)

Phan Han

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/cau-noi-giu-gin-ban-sac-van-hoa-dia-phuong-20062025-a148468.html