Cultural harmony, common goals

(GLO)- The merger of the two provinces of Binh Dinh and Gia Lai (old) is an important milestone in the development journey of the Central Highlands-Coastal region. Along with the political, economic, social fields, culture and arts are also of great interest to the public.

Gia Lai Newspaper publishes excerpts of opinions from cultural management officials, people working in the cultural and artistic sector, artists, folk artisans, etc., on the potential for cultural and artistic development after the merger.

Viewing artworks created during the 2024 Binh Dinh Young Artists' Creative Camp . Photo: KV

* RESEARCHER NGUYEN THANH QUANG:

Two heritage regions sharing a common historical flow.

Binh Dinh and Gia Lai (formerly) may belong to two different geographical regions, but they share many similarities in their cultural heritage when considered within the historical and cultural context of the Central-Central Highlands region. Gia Lai not only has the Roc Trung site—one of the early Paleolithic archaeological sites indicating the development of humankind from 800,000 years ago—but also the Bau Can-Sa Huynh culture and Champa culture. Binh Dinh, on the other hand, is a land where various cultures converge, from early to late periods: Pre-Sa Huynh, Sa Huynh, Dong Son, Champa… These cultures of Binh Dinh and Gia Lai have all left a significant mark on the course of history.

Three factors—history, culture, and population—will create harmony and cohesion in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage values ​​of the two former provinces of Binh Dinh and Gia Lai when they merge into the new province of Gia Lai.

* MR. NGUYEN VAN TAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN CHARGE OF QUANG TRUNG MUSEUM:

Deeply rooted in the camaraderie between the Lower and Upper branches of the Tay Son dynasty.

The former provinces of Binh Dinh and Gia Lai share a deep historical and cultural connection, linked to the Tay Son Lower and Upper regions. These two areas were intimately connected during the glorious Tay Son peasant uprising. The merger of Binh Dinh and Gia Lai into the new Gia Lai province will further strengthen this historical and cultural link, incorporating the spirit of the "Tay Son Swift Movement" into a new development trajectory. This will create opportunities for political , economic, cultural, and tourism development, promoting the heritage values ​​of the Tay Son peasant movement to both domestic and international visitors.

* WRITER LE HOAI LUONG:

Adding creative inspiration from my new homeland.

My initial thought upon hearing about the merger of Binh Dinh and Gia Lai provinces was: this merger is good, good in many ways, with the geographical strengths and resources of both regions, from economy to history and culture…

In terms of literature, with its new status as a province, future writers from Gia Lai will embody the spirit of those from a land rich in literary traditions, such as Van Cong Hung, Huong Dinh, Thu Loan, and Pham Duc Long… Meanwhile, Binh Dinh is witnessing a new wave in literature, with the participation of many writers in their 30s, such as Truong Cong Tuong, Van Phi, Tran Quoc Toan, Tran Van Thien, Mau Don, and My Tien… The formation of this new province, a new homeland, promises to become a powerful source of inspiration, igniting new creative aspirations from today's young authors.

* PAINTER AND SCULPTOR LE TRONG NGHIA:

New opportunities for interregional art

The Binh Dinh Fine Arts Association currently has 30 members, mostly painters and sculptors who have established their own personal styles. Some have had the opportunity to participate in national and international art competitions and left a strong mark. This is a force that has gone through many stages of creation, and can share experiences, accompany, and inspire young artists.

Meanwhile, the former Gia Lai Fine Arts Association has 47 members, mainly young, enthusiastic artists who are increasingly establishing themselves, regularly appearing in regional exhibitions. Many have made their mark on the national stage with works that strongly reflect the spirit of the Central Highlands, powerful in form, rich in emotion, both primitive and contemporary.

We believe that with timely support from management agencies and, above all, the openness and creative spirit of the artists themselves, Gia Lai's fine arts will have the opportunity to enter a new phase of development, gradually becoming a positive example of inter-regional connection and development.

* POET AND JOURNALIST VAN CONG HUNG:

Embracing diversity within uniformity

Binh Dinh and Gia Lai are clearly two completely different cultural regions. One is a delta with a rice-based and maritime civilization, while the other is a mountainous region with a slash-and-burn agriculture. These two different civilizations have created different cultures, yet they are not completely separate because of past cultural exchange.

In the past, the Cham people themselves opened a road from the citadel of Do Ban (Binh Dinh) to the Central Highlands and into Cambodia; conversely, ethnic minority people in Gia Lai brought their products down to Binh Dinh and Quang Nam to exchange for gongs, creating their own rich gong culture. Recognizing these things presents an opportunity for us to promote the differences within the unity when the two provinces merge.

For example, a crucial part of culture (and economy) is tourism. By merging, we can develop both coastal and forest tourism, which is excellent. But to achieve this, we must preserve the unique characteristics of both sides. This is something that needs careful consideration; we shouldn't let them overshadow each other. We need to distinguish between what will dissolve, what will negate each other, and what needs to be preserved… Once culture develops, it will lead to the overall development of the socio-economic sector.

* OUTSTANDING ARTIST DANG CONG HUNG - VICE CHAIRMAN IN CHARGE OF THE GIA LAI LITERATURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION:

Connecting identities, looking towards the future.

Gia Lai, with its vast cultural landscape, is where the sound of gongs and drums echoes through the mountains, carrying the sacred breath of the Central Highlands. Meanwhile, Binh Dinh, a land of martial arts and literary arts, is where art is vibrantly and multifacetedly present, drawing from a massive and ancient cultural heritage spanning thousands of years of nation-building and defense. The convergence of these two cultural currents—one primitive and mythical, the other sharp and liberal—creates great opportunities for expanding the scope of creativity and development. However, it is also necessary to recognize that each region has its own set of values, expressions, and unique characteristics; without deep understanding and a proactive approach, it is easy to end up with a "parallel existence without convergence."

We have the right to expect that, from this land of convergence, a new face of literature and art will be formed: rich in identity, profound in content, creative in form, and enduring in value. It will be a cultural voice imbued with the spirit of the Central Highlands, the martial spirit of Binh Dinh, a voice full of inner strength and humanity, contributing to enriching the national cultural identity in the era of integration and development.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/hoa-hop-van-hoa-cung-chung-chi-huong-post330595.html