The forging fire at the end of the year

As the year draws to a close, the Tiến Lộc blacksmith village in Triệu Lộc commune enters its busiest time of year. Without the need for advertising signs or calls to action, the clanging of hammers against steel, the blazing red flames in the forges, and the hurried pace of the workers create a distinctive "harmony," signaling the approaching Lunar New Year. Blacksmithing, a laborious profession, becomes even more arduous in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), when orders increase and demands become urgent, forcing the forges to operate at full capacity.

The blacksmiths of Tien Loc village are busy producing goods to meet the market demand at the end of the year.

The Tiến Lộc blacksmith village has long been famous throughout the region for its sharp and durable products such as knives, scissors, hoes, and shovels, which are closely associated with the agricultural production of the local farmers. Not only serving the needs within the province, the village's products also reach many provinces and cities across the country through traders. At the end of the year, the increased demand for agricultural tools for the new planting season, home renovations, and Tet preparations has made production in the craft village busier than ever.

Amidst the fiery atmosphere, Mr. Kieu Van Viet, a long-time blacksmith in Trieu Loc commune, shared: "As the year draws to a close, the blacksmiths' forges in Tien Loc glow even brighter with the red light of the coals. The craftsmen must work diligently without rest, from early morning until late at night."

To create a finished forged product, the craftsman must go through many rigorous stages such as heating the iron, forging and shaping, sharpening, tempering, and finishing the product. Each stage requires skill, experience, and patience, because even a small mistake can ruin the entire product. According to Mr. Viet, during Tet (Lunar New Year), products such as cleavers, sharp scissors, and sickles are the most popular items and are ordered in large quantities. At this time, the steel smelting furnaces are almost constantly burning day and night to supply raw materials to the forging workshops, creating a scene of bustling yet vibrant labor. This is also the time when the villagers place the most hope. After a year of hard work by the furnace, this is when they hope to earn extra income to prepare for a more prosperous Tet. The money earned from their labor day and night helps families buy sticky rice cakes, peach blossoms, new clothes for their children, and ensure a warm and joyful Tet celebration.

No longer relying solely on manual labor as before, in recent years, blacksmiths in Tien Loc have boldly invested in modern machinery to improve productivity and product quality. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and machinery has helped reduce strenuous labor for the workers while better meeting the increasingly high demands of the market. As a result, many local forged products are not only selling well domestically but are also exported to international markets, opening up new avenues for the village's development. However, amidst this development, the core values ​​of traditional blacksmithing are still preserved.

For many families in Tien Loc, blacksmithing is not only a means of livelihood but also a source of pride and a connecting thread between generations. Ms. Hoang Thi Ca, from Trieu Loc commune, confided: “Blacksmithing is ingrained in our blood; we don’t know when it originated, but it has always been passed down from father to son through many generations.” According to Ms. Ca, villagers often say, “When the fire is burning, there’s money,” as a simple way to affirm that blacksmithing will always bring prosperity to many families. Therefore, despite the changes over time, the people of Tien Loc blacksmithing village remain steadfast in their craft, unwilling to abandon the work they have been involved with since childhood.

According to the People's Committee of Trieu Loc commune, the entire commune currently has more than 1,500 households with nearly 2,600 workers regularly engaged in blacksmithing. These figures demonstrate the enduring vitality of a centuries-old craft village. Thanks to the skillful hands and diligence of generations of blacksmiths, the Tien Loc blacksmithing craft has not only been maintained but has also continued to develop strongly, especially during the peak days at the end of the year. The sound of hammers and steel clashing resonates regularly, harmonizing with the hurried breathing of the craftsmen pouring their efforts into the last orders of the old year. In the red glow of the fire, there is not only sweat and hardship, but also faith, pride, and hope for a bright future for the craft village. Every year-end, the people of Tien Loc blacksmithing village not only hope for a prosperous and fulfilling Tet holiday but also pour their hearts and souls into their traditional blacksmithing craft. These wishes, though simple and unpretentious, are the driving force that keeps the sound of hammers from the Thanh Hoa blacksmiths' villages echoing persistently, keeping the flame of the craft burning brightly, warming generations and continuing to illuminate the path of development for the homeland in new springs.

Text and photos: Phuong Do

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/lua-nbsp-ren-nbsp-cuoi-nbsp-nam-274497.htm