Confucius Lao: Preserving culture associated with building new rural areas

Realizing that culture is the spiritual foundation of society and an important driving force in building new rural areas, the Party Committee and the government of Khong Lao commune have intensified propaganda and mobilized people to implement the movement "All people unite to build a cultural life", associated with new rural criteria, especially criteria related to cultural and material facilities. The work of preserving and promoting national cultural identity has been effectively implemented through the restoration of traditional festivals; festivals associated with promoting community tourism , introducing traditional cultural beauty and local products. Restoring and maintaining folk art clubs, xoe dance, Then singing, Tinh lute, creating a healthy playground for people. Contributing to preserving and building grassroots cultural life and linking with community tourism development.

Thai ethnic dances are performed by local art troupes at festivals.

Mr. Do Van Quynh - Chairman of Khong Lao Commune People's Committee said: The commune always identifies that preserving the national cultural identity is a key task in socio -economic development and building cultural life at the grassroots level. Therefore, in recent times, the commune has preserved and restored festivals, typically the Then Kin Pang festival (a unique cultural activity of the White Thai people in the area) which is restored and organized annually in the third lunar month. In recent years, the festival has been upgraded to the provincial level, becoming a typical cultural and tourist highlight of the locality. Besides the solemn ceremony, the festival takes place with traditional cultural and sports activities, costumes and ethnic cuisine performances, etc., attracting a large number of visitors.

Along with organizing festivals, Khong Lao commune focuses on preserving the language, writing, customs, rituals and folk songs and dances of ethnic minorities. Artisans and prestigious people are promoted to play a role in teaching and guiding the younger generation to learn and practice folk culture. The commune also coordinates with the Education sector in incorporating folk culture and good customs into extracurricular activities of students.

Mrs. Vuong Thi Them in Huoi Phac village confided: I was taught Then singing, Tinh lute, and rituals in the Then Kin Pang festival by the elders in the village. Every year, I am invited to participate in performances and guide rituals in the Then Kin Pang festival. I also participate in teaching youth, teenagers, and students in activities, folk art clubs, and extracurricular activities at school... Through that, I hope that the children will love their homeland more and be proud of their national identity.

Folk games are preserved and played by people in Khong Lao commune during holidays and Tet. In the photo : People in Khong Lao commune compete in swallow and crab game.

Along with the festival preservation work, Khong Lao commune focuses on investing in and upgrading the system of grassroots cultural institutions including: communal cultural houses, community activity points, sports grounds, loudspeaker systems, law bookcases, etc. Up to now, 100% of the villages in the area have cultural houses or community activity points equipped with loudspeakers, tables, chairs, and basic sports equipment; the commune's central sports ground has been renovated to serve the organization of sports and cultural exchange activities during the Then Kin Pang festival and major holidays; the grassroots loudspeaker system has been upgraded to ensure effective propaganda of policies and cultural and social activities; many villages have achieved the title of "cultural village", the rate of cultural families annually reaches over 85%, etc. Thereby, contributing to the implementation of criteria No. 6 and No. 16 in the new rural construction program.

The writing of the Dao ethnic group is preserved and taught by the people of Khong Lao commune.

At the same time, the commune promotes the development of community tourism, encourages people to build homestays, demonstrate traditional crafts, introduce ethnic cuisine, etc. to help create new livelihoods, increase income and effectively implement poverty reduction criteria in the new rural construction program.

Mr. Tan Van Tong in Na Doong village excitedly said: The cultural house was built and fully equipped, becoming a place for people to live, exchange arts and sports. Spiritual life has been improved, the spirit of solidarity in the village is stronger, that is the motivation for people in the village to unite and strive to get rich legitimately.

Thanks to the investment in building cultural houses and cultural institutions, the people of Na Doong village have a place to meet and organize community activities.

Thanks to the efforts of the government and people, the cultural, artistic and sports movement in Khong Lao has been increasingly developed. Awareness of preserving and promoting traditional cultural values has been raised, many good customs have been restored, contributing to building a civilized, united and happy community, creating a solid foundation towards the goal of a sustainable and unique new rural area in the coming time.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/xa-hoi/khong-lao-bao-ton-van-hoa-gan-voi-xay-dung-nong-thon-moi-1363756