To make artisans proud of their professional titles

DNO - The team of artisans in Da Nang city - those who hold and teach the quintessence of the craft village, are in need of necessary support to confidently dedicate themselves to and preserve the traditional craft.

People's Artisan Nguyen Van Tiep hopes that the State will have a support mechanism for the titles of artisans of craft villages. Photo: XUAN HIEN

Motivational

Up to now, Mr. Nguyen Van Tiep (Dien Ban ward), Vice President of the Vietnam Craft Villages Association, has been awarded the title of People's Artisan (NNND) by the President for nearly 8 years.

Looking back over the past time, Mr. Tiep said that although the title of People's Artist brings him pride and opportunities in his career, there has been almost no specific honor.

Similarly, People's Artist Nguyen Long Buu, in Non Nuoc stone carving village (Ngu Hanh Son ward) said that since being awarded the title of People's Artist (in 2016) until now, he has received almost no support.

After the merger, Da Nang City has 55 artisans from craft villages, including 12 People's Artists and 43 Meritorious Artists. This team is considered the elite of craft villages, preserving unique "tricks of the trade" to pass on to the next generations.

According to Decree No. 43/2024/ND-CP of the Government : Detailed regulations on awarding the titles "People's Artisan" and "Meritorious Artisan" in the field of handicrafts. To be recognized with these titles, the application must meet strict requirements.

Specifically: having exceptionally excellent skills, passion, dedication to the profession; having contributed a lot to the preservation and development of handicrafts; having worked continuously in the handicrafts profession or cumulatively for 20 years or more... Therefore, many people, even if they strive their whole lives in the profession, find it difficult to reach these titles.

People's Artisan Huynh Suong - who has made many contributions to the handicraft profession. Photo: VINH LOC

Craftsman Huynh Suong (Kim Bong carpentry village, Hoi An ward) confided that if the State had a specific support mechanism for artisans, it would contribute to motivating and encouraging them to contribute more to the profession.

According to People's Artist Nguyen Van Tiep, artisans and skilled workers are the treasures of the profession, so the State needs to pay due attention and honor their talent with practical actions.

“To preserve and develop traditional craft villages, we need to pay attention to the human factor; in which generations of artisans are the direct deciding factor, because artisans are treasures of experience and craft secrets. At the same time, they are also the ones with the mission of acquiring, improving, and supplementing the craft; they are the bridge between the ancestors and future generations,” analyzed People's Artist Nguyen Van Tiep.

Waiting for support mechanism

In fact, many traditional craft villages have escaped from the brink of extinction or bankruptcy thanks to the talent of artisans who have taught their craft, contributing to opening up opportunities for revival and development. This is clearly demonstrated in some traditional craft villages in the city such as Kim Bong carpentry, Phuoc Kieu bronze casting, etc.

People's Artist Nguyen Van Tiep said that before the merger, the province had repeatedly proposed that the State study support for artisans, such as providing free health insurance cards - as an incentive reward to encourage artisans to keep their profession, to show respect for their contributions and the titles they achieved, but it was unsuccessful because there were no regulations.

“The relevant sector believes that, according to Decree No. 109 of the Government on support for farmers and workers, only those with incomes below 50% of their base salary will receive a small monthly support,” Mr. Nguyen Van Tiep shared.

If there is a support mechanism, artisans will feel secure in dedicating themselves to their profession. Photo: VINH LOC

It cannot be denied that in recent years, Quang Nam province (old) and Da Nang city (old) have issued a number of policies to support rural occupations and craft villages in the area, but for individuals with specific titles such as People's Artist or Meritorious Artist, they are not practical.

According to the representative of the Department of Industry and Trade of Da Nang city, any support for the titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist must be implemented according to regulations. Recently, the State has issued some support such as prioritizing the allocation of industrial promotion projects and craft village development for establishments with artisans achieving the title, but this needs to be implemented according to specific procedures and registration documents.

People's Artist Le Duc Ha (Dien Ban Ward) said that the State's support mechanisms for artisans are not simply material but also show respect for the contributions of artisans in preserving, conserving and promoting the value of craft villages.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/de-nghe-nhan-tu-hao-voi-danh-hieu-nghe-3306501.html