Let the community decide.

In recent days, public opinion has continued to debate whether or not to ban buffalo fighting festivals. The reasons include incidents that have occurred during the festival, creating negative public opinion and deviating from its traditional meaning.

Besides the rather negative opinions and calls for a ban, many argue that the festival should be retained but with control measures to prevent violence, commercialization, and distortion; while also emphasizing the role of state management.

Associate Professor Dr. Le Thi Thu Hien - Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), shared with the press that, within the framework of the law, it is inappropriate to ban a traditional festival simply because of accompanying phenomena. She added that addressing issues related to traditional festivals is a long-term process of raising awareness, improving communication quality, and mobilizing the public.

The Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage also emphasized that a festival should not be banned simply because of accompanying phenomena; and that the community is the one who decides the existence of the heritage. Agreeing with this viewpoint, Dr. Tran Huu Son, Director of the Institute of Applied Folklore Research, also affirmed that the Do Son buffalo fighting festival (Hai Phong) and the Hai Luu buffalo fighting festival ( Vinh Phuc ) have existed since ancient times. These are unique festivals of the inhabitants of the Northern Delta, practiced in some localities to serve the cultural and spiritual needs of the people. Therefore, according to Dr. Son, the question should not be whether to abolish or not, but rather to find solutions to maintain, preserve, and promote the value of the festival.

While some festivals may experience violence, commercialization, or distortion during their organization, such situations can arise at any time. The responsibility lies with the Organizing Committee, the management agency, and the local government, especially in the areas of mobilization and public awareness campaigns. The key is to ensure that festival management and participants truly understand the value and significance of the festival, thereby adjusting their behavior and demonstrating culturally appropriate conduct.

Compared to other countries in the region, Vietnam has a wealth of traditional festivals. Each festival possesses its own unique beauty, including festivals like buffalo fighting, which have been celebrated for thousands of years, demonstrating the vitality and enduring existence of the community. Therefore, instead of discussing whether or not to ban them, we should find the most effective solutions to both promote the historical and cultural values ​​and the refined beauty of traditional festivals from ancient times, while gradually adjusting and replacing elements that are deemed inappropriate.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/hay-de-cong-dong-quyet-dinh-10300828.html