Preserving the sounds of the homeland

VHO - Amidst the vibrant pace of life and the strong current of modernization, preserving and promoting the values ​​of folk art and cultural heritage remains a difficult problem to solve. In Da Nang, a dynamic young city rising on the international tourism map, traditional values ​​are both memories of the past and a rich foundation for building the future.

In Da Nang City, the art of Bài Chòi singing has become an attractive "spiritual nourishment" in the cultural life of all segments of the population.

Preserving and reviving heritage within urban life demonstrates responsibility towards our roots and represents a sustainable investment in the cultural identity of a livable city.

Folk art and culture amidst the modern flow.

Preservation doesn't mean confining it to museums. With the right efforts, folk art can absolutely thrive, spread, and touch the hearts of young people, as an essential part of the flow of contemporary culture.

Amidst rapid urbanization, young cities like Da Nang are facing significant challenges in preserving and promoting folk art and cultural values. Profound changes in lifestyles and tastes, along with the influx of modern cultural trends, especially among young people, are gradually encroaching on the space for traditional art forms such as Tuong (classical opera), Bai Choi (traditional folk singing), and folk songs.

Many festivals and customs that embody the cultural essence of coastal fishermen are now facing the risk of being "theatrically transformed," as their organization no longer stems from the genuine spiritual and religious needs of the community but rather leans towards serving tourism and performance. Researcher Bui Van Tieng lamented, stating: "After more than 20 years of urbanization, Da Nang is gradually losing its old fishing villages like Dong Hai and Nam Tho... The basket boats of yesteryear may now only be a memory."

Living spaces are shrinking, the elderly generation of artisans is gradually fading away, and the next generation has not been properly nurtured. Meanwhile, traditional festivals are being shortened, simplified, or even mixed with modern rituals. The Fishing Festival – once a sacred spiritual anchor for fishermen – now lacks the natural participation of the original community in many places, losing its inherent charm and sincerity.

Nevertheless, many researchers still believe that folklore can become a valuable resource for the cultural and tourism industries if exploited carefully and respectfully. As researcher Ho Xuan Tinh shared: "The issue here is how to develop urban areas while preserving heritage. Because folklore is not just memory, but also the future of a city with its own identity."

Folk performances in the Fishing Festival

Treasures of the past in the face of new opportunities and challenges.

In the context of increasingly rapid urbanization, especially in young cities like Da Nang, folk art and culture not only face the risk of disappearing but also require creative, systematic, and sustainable preservation and promotion strategies. Values ​​nurtured through the memories of the elderly, if not promptly preserved, will gradually fade with time.

Researcher Ho Xuan Tinh argues that coastal culture needs to thrive within the very space and community that created it. Therefore, to preserve folk cultural heritage, it is essential to first preserve the coastal villages, the places where these values ​​originated and spread. Simultaneously, digitizing this heritage is also an effective approach, helping to bring folk culture closer to the modern public – regardless of time and space.

In the academic environment, many educational institutions have pioneered innovative approaches to heritage. Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Bai (Duy Tan University), a Master's student, stated that by integrating local culture into lectures, students in tourism, communication, and language studies not only learn but also live in the local cultural space. As a result, they not only understand but also feel they are part of the mission to preserve national heritage.

Despite the challenges, there are still many optimistic signs. Researcher Bui Van Tieng believes that the merger of Da Nang and Quang Nam will open up many valuable opportunities for the preservation and promotion of folk culture: Firstly, the heritage treasure after the merger will be richer, creating momentum for organizing more activities of collection, research, performance, and teaching.

Secondly, the workforce of artisans, lecturers, and researchers in both localities will become a strong human resource, playing a pivotal role in preserving heritage. Thirdly, the convergence of various heritage types, from mountainous to coastal areas, will create diverse experiential spaces for the public and expand performance opportunities for artisans. Fourthly, mobilizing investment resources (both public and private) will be easier, especially in implementing national-level projects on the preservation of the cultures of ethnic minorities such as the Co Tu, Cor, and Hoa in Da Nang.

However, to realize these opportunities, researcher Bui Van Tieng emphasizes that it must start with education: improving the quality of teaching folk culture and arts in schools, making heritage values ​​a vibrant part of Literature lessons. At the same time, professionalizing the management and protection of heritage, preventing the situation where "everyone's responsibility is no one's responsibility," especially at the grassroots level – where people are closest to the heritage.

Mr. Nguyen Nho Khiem, Chairman of the Union of Literature and Arts Associations of Da Nang City, affirmed: "Folk culture and art are a treasure of the past. If we know how to preserve them and breathe new life into them, they will become a valuable resource for building a modern Da Nang that is still rich in identity, where heritage is not only preserved but also vibrant in today's urban life."

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/giu-lai-thanh-am-xu-so-143195.html