Tug of War heritage grows stronger after a decade of UNESCO recognition

On the afternoon of November 15, the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinated with the People's Committee of Long Bien Ward and the Center for Research and Promotion of Cultural Heritage Values ​​to organize an international conference "A decade of protecting and promoting tug-of-war rituals and games".

Tug of war heritage practice in Long Bien, Hanoi

The event is part of the Thang Long - Hanoi Festival, marking 10 years of the heritage being recognized by UNESCO, affirming the sustainable vitality of the heritage, its strong spread in contemporary life and the important role of culture in connecting communities, building peace and cooperation between nations.

Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Le Thi Anh Mai emphasized: "Today's workshop is an important forum to exchange and share experiences, evaluate achievements and orient cooperation in the new period."

Party Secretary and Chairman of the People's Council of Long Bien Ward, Nguyen Manh Ha, affirmed that for Long Bien residents, the sitting tug-of-war ritual is not only a folk game, but also a sacred religious ritual, reflecting the desire to fight floods, control water, pray for national peace and prosperity, and good crops.

"The sound of the festival is a symbol of solidarity and community strength," emphasized the Chairman of the People's Council of Long Bien ward.

Conference scene

At the workshop, Dr. Le Thi Minh Ly, Vice President of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, said that over the past 10 years, the Vietnamese tug-of-war community has grown strongly, spreading its values ​​and brand, becoming a domestic and international connection center.

From only 6 communities included in the dossier in 2015, 4 more communities have now been discovered, researched and will be proposed for addition. “The communities understand that the heritage is their own, a message from their ancestors, so they make an effort to preserve it voluntarily,” she emphasized.

The workshop also noted international cooperation with tug-of-war communities in Korea, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Park Woenmo, an expert on intangible cultural heritage in the Asia- Pacific region, affirmed: “The registration of tug-of-war not only protects heritage, but also establishes a model of international cooperation based on the community, respecting local characteristics and promoting the sharing of experiences between countries.”

The workshop is a vivid demonstration of the commitment to preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage, contributing to preserving national identity and promoting international cultural exchange in the new era.

MAI AN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/di-san-keo-co-lon-manh-sau-mot-thap-ky-duoc-unesco-ghi-danh-post823644.html