Receiving the title of National Intangible Cultural Heritage for "The craft of weaving hammocks from paulownia wood in Cu Lao Cham"

On the morning of August 5th, the People's Committee of Hoi An City ( Quang Nam province) announced that, after a temporary postponement, the city will hold the opening ceremony of the "Cu Lao Cham - Red Paulownia Season" Festival 2024 and receive the title of national intangible cultural heritage for the traditional craft of weaving hammocks from Paulownia trees in Cu Lao Cham at 7:30 PM on August 6th in Tan Hiep island commune.

The season of red paulownia flowers in Cu Lao Cham.

Accordingly, the "Cù Lao Chàm – Red Paulownia Season" Festival 2024 and the recognition of the traditional craft of weaving hammocks from paulownia trees as a national intangible cultural heritage is an event within the series of activities of the "Hoi An – Summer Emotions 2024" Sea Festival, in response to the National Biodiversity Restoration Year and the National Tourism Year 2024. It is expected to be a highlight tourism event, attracting domestic and international tourists to visit Cù Lao Chàm.

The event will be rescheduled from August 5th to 11th (previously planned from July 19th to 25th), recreating the cultural beauty and distinctive sporting activities of the island's people through the following main activities: Photo exhibition and sightseeing of the "Corn Tree Flower Garden"; Display of products and demonstration of corn tree hammock weaving; Cu Lao Night Program; Cu Lao Cham product market "Delicious Island Dishes"; Tan Hiep Commune boat race; Coral Reef Summer Camp.

Notably, at 7:30 PM on August 6th, the opening night of the "Cu Lao Cham - Red Paulownia Season" Festival 2024 will take place, celebrating the recognition of the traditional craft of weaving hammocks from paulownia trees as a national intangible cultural heritage.

The craft of weaving hammocks from paulownia wood on Cu Lao Cham island. Photo: V. Duc

According to the People's Committee of Hoi An City, for many years now, Cu Lao Cham has become better known as the "island of paulownia flowers". The paulownia tree is a sturdy plant that grows from rocky mountains; the drier and sunnier it gets, the more vibrant its flowers bloom, casting a striking red shadow against the sky and sea of ​​Cu Lao Cham. The paulownia tree has been closely associated with the daily lives of the people of Cu Lao Cham since ancient times, particularly with the craft of weaving paulownia hammocks.

Through generations of preservation, driven by the artisans' love for their craft and their efforts to conserve and promote cultural values, the traditional craft of weaving paulownia hammocks has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage: The traditional craft of weaving paulownia hammocks in Cu Lao Cham, Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province.

For these reasons, the paulownia flower has gradually become a symbol of Cham Island and is therefore chosen as the main theme for the annual Festival, carrying the mission of promoting the island's marine landscape, biodiversity from forest to sea, associated with the unique local culture and sustainable lifestyle of the people of Cham Island to tourists.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/don-nhan-danh-hieu-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-nghe-thu-cong-truyen-thong-dan-vong-ngo-dong-o-cu-lao-cham-20240805102941962.htm