Part 2: The need for "leveraging" solutions

Việt Nam•23/08/2023

Following the implementation of Resolution No. 13, the cultural institutions from the provincial to the grassroots level in some areas are still in a state of disrepair, lacking equipment to support activities, affecting the quality and effectiveness of professional tasks as well as the organization of cultural and sports activities to serve the people.

The 2023 Thai Binh Newspaper Cup Table Tennis Tournament for Clubs took place at the Provincial Multi-Purpose Sports Arena.

One of the targets that has not been met as set out in Resolution No. 13 is "Striving to ensure that by 2020, 50% of provincial-level cultural and sports facilities are newly built, renovated, or repaired to provide sufficient facilities." Currently, the provincial-level cultural and sports facilities managed by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism comprise 5 units, of which 2/5 units (40%) have received investment for new construction or major renovation and repair. These include the Provincial Library, a modern cultural facility newly built and put into use since October 2020, and two gymnasiums managed by the Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center. The multi-purpose gymnasium in Hoang Dieu ward (Thai Binh city), which received funding for major repairs in 2022, has now basically met the requirements for organizing provincial and national-level sports activities, events, and competitions. The Hai Ba Trung Street Sports Arena (Thai Binh City), which received funding for repairs in 2021 and 2022, is currently a training ground for athletes and hosts several sports competitions at the provincial and sectoral levels. Basically, these cultural and sports facilities have met the needs of the people for cultural and artistic activities, training, and sports competitions.

Currently, three provincial-level cultural institutions are dilapidated and do not meet operational requirements: the Provincial Cultural Center, the Provincial Museum, and the Thai Binh Cheo Theater. The Provincial Cultural Center currently uses four facilities, most of which are in poor condition. Facility 1, the main headquarters, is severely degraded, unsafe, and lacks the necessary equipment to meet professional operational standards.

Mr. Le Tien Luong, Director of the Provincial Cultural Center, shared: Established in November 2018 through the merger of the Provincial Central Cultural House, the Information Exhibition House, and the Film Distribution and Screening Center, the Provincial Cultural Center currently manages four facilities. However, for large programs, competitions, and performances, these must be held at locations outside the Center. The main hall, where the Center's activities usually take place, is not only in serious disrepair but also has limited space and seating, making it unsuitable for competitions involving all eight districts and cities. Renting external venues also means the Center continues to rent stage equipment, lighting, and sound systems, as the Center's existing equipment is only sufficient for small stages.

A similar situation exists at the Provincial Museum, which houses one of the two nationally recognized treasures of Thai Binh province. In addition, it contains over 47,000 documents, artifacts, and images providing a comprehensive overview of the natural environment, history, and culture of Thai Binh province from prehistoric and early historical periods to the present day. The Provincial Museum holds 2-5 thematic exhibitions annually, attracting tens of thousands of visitors.

Mr. Do Quoc Tuan, Director of the Provincial Museum, stated: "The facilities and equipment are currently dilapidated, and the fire prevention and fighting system is damaged, failing to ensure the safety of storing documents and artifacts in case of an incident. The basic equipment for preserving artifacts is old and outdated, and the limited storage space makes it difficult to meet work requirements. Outdoor exhibits such as airplanes, tanks, cannons, and missiles lack roofs, affecting their lifespan... The Provincial People's Committee has planned to relocate the Provincial Museum to a new location, so currently, with the responsibility of dedicated and passionate staff, we are striving to overcome difficulties, preserve, conserve, and promote the traditional cultural values of the locality."

Besides the provincial-level cultural institutions that need investment soon, in some localities, village and neighborhood cultural centers are renovated and upgraded from old buildings such as kindergartens, cooperative headquarters, and health stations... therefore, they are still small, cramped, and their scale and design do not meet regulations. Some localities, especially neighborhood groups, face difficulties in allocating sufficient land area to build cultural and sports facilities. Meanwhile, in some places where sufficient land has been planned, the budget for building cultural and sports facilities is limited and does not meet the requirements. In 2022, out of 100 villages eligible to receive funding for the project to support and improve the effectiveness of village and neighborhood cultural centers and sports areas in the province from 2021 to 2025, 4 villages requested to withdraw from the project due to insufficient matching funds as committed. While in many localities cultural and sports facilities are gradually playing an important role in the lives of the community, there are also places where these facilities cannot fully utilize their potential, as cultural and sports activities are still infrequent and do not meet the needs of the people. One of the reasons identified by the cultural sector is the low funding allocated to cultural and sports activities at all levels, which is insufficient to organize, manage, and maintain regular activities, as well as to organize attractive and innovative activities to attract people. In addition, according to statistics from the cultural sector, the number of commune-level cultural officials assigned to these roles is still high; and the management staff of cultural and sports facilities in villages and residential areas do not yet meet the professional requirements.

Thus, perfecting the system of cultural and sports institutions is difficult, but improving their effectiveness and ensuring they are truly integrated into people's lives requires even more dedication and perseverance. Resolution No. 13 has created an important foundation for people to have the opportunity to enjoy cultural and spiritual life, to have spaces for sports training, and to improve their health right in their residential areas. The key is more determined involvement from all levels of government and the proactive role of each citizen, because when the whole community works together, each institution will truly become a valuable asset, both materially and spiritually, thus having greater longevity.

The provincial Cultural Center's cultural and artistic training course is for grassroots cultural officials. A folk dance performance was held at the Provincial Multi-Purpose Gymnasium.