Hai Phong - City of Music: Potential and development opportunities

VHO - On the morning of October 26, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Phong in collaboration with the Hai Phong Union of Science and Technology Associations organized the scientific workshop “Hai Phong – City of Music: Potential and Development Opportunities” at the Hai Phong Convention and Performance Center. The workshop brought together many managers, artists, and scholars who shared the vision of turning music into a new driving force for the cultural industry and urban brand of Hai Phong.

Member of the City Party Committee, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Phong , Dr. Tran Thi Hoang Mai, spoke

Hai Phong - a land resounding with identity and creative spirit

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Member of the City Party Committee, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Phong Dr. Tran Thi Hoang Mai emphasized: Hai Phong is not only a city of industry, of seaports, of a dynamic, creative and resilient spirit. But besides its economic and urban values, Hai Phong is also a land rich in cultural traditions, where music always resonates with the rhythm of human life."

According to Dr. Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Hai Phong is the land of many types of folk music such as ca tru, cheo, trom hoi, especially hat van. This is also the birthplace and nurturing of many Vietnamese musical talents from Van Cao, Hoang Quy, Doan Chuan, To Vu, Tran Hoan, Ngo Thuy Mien... to the new generation such as Vu Tu Lan, Vu Loan, Duy Thai, Tung Ngoc... with many diverse styles.

The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Phong said that after the merger, Hai Phong was known as "Heroic Port City - Cultural Eastern Land", so the music here not only carries the heroic spirit, the spirit of "bravery and determination to win" but also bears the mark of Eastern culture expressed through lyrics and musical notes praising the land and people.

“Hai Phong today has an abundant source of vitality for music – that is the advantage of a rich cultural heritage system, the advantage of a professional artist community, and most of all, a music-loving community and the city's attention and investment in artistic activities,” said Ms. Mai.

Orientation to build Music City from potential to action

At the workshop, scientists and cultural managers focused on discussing the following contents: identifying the value and identity of Hai Phong music from folk traditions, red music, light music to contemporary flows; evaluating cultural infrastructure - theater system, art schools, festivals, performance spaces; and strategies for developing the music industry associated with creative urban areas.

Building a Music City from Potential to Action in Hai Phong

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Phong Do Thanh Binh introduced the project "Hai Phong - City of Music", considering this a highlight in the strategy to bring Hai Phong into the UNESCO Creative Cities network.

He emphasized: “Hai Phong music is both modern and imbued with the spirit of Eastern culture, clearly reflecting the mettle, spirit and dynamic, creative spirit of Hai Phong people. The project aims to build a music center with identity, regional and international appeal, contributing to the sustainable development of the city.”

Vice President of the Hai Phong Union of Science and Technology Associations Pham Huu Thu said that to be recognized as a “City of Music” by UNESCO, Hai Phong needs a long-term, systematic roadmap: “The city is not currently qualified, but has complete potential if music is considered a cultural and creative industry associated with local identity.”

Mr. Pham Huu Thu proposed that by 2035, Hai Phong needs to promote and digitize folk music values ​​such as hat van, ca tru, festival drums, temple music; build a creative ecosystem and music industry, promote international cooperation, connect with music cities such as Liverpool (UK), Daegu (Korea), Adelaide (Australia) to expand creative space and spread Hai Phong's music brand.

Delegates attending the workshop

Music - a cultural resource for sustainable development

Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son , full-time member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society, said: "Hai Phong has all the elements to become a City of Music : heritage, identity, people and spirit of uprising. Revolutionary heritage is the foundation, seaport tradition is the inspiration, creative spirit is the driving force, and music industry is the future path. When these elements are connected by vision and policy, music will become a development resource and a unique cultural brand of modern Vietnamese urban areas."

He further emphasized: “Joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is not just a title, but also an aspiration to affirm the position of Vietnamese culture on the world creative map. When the city invests in culture, stimulates creativity and lets music lead the way for development, that is also the time when Hai Phong contributes to brightening the image of a dynamic, humane and inspirational Vietnam.”

The workshop “Hai Phong - City of Music: Potential and Development Opportunities” is therefore not only an academic event, but also opens up a vision of sustainable urban development based on cultural and human values.

Music, from folk notes to contemporary melodies, is identified as a "source of vitality" that nourishes the soul, connects the community and creates a new attraction for the Port City in its journey of international integration.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/hai-phong-thanh-pho-am-nhac-tiem-nang-va-co-hoi-phat-trien-177086.html