Elderly people preserve traditional cultural identity

Meritorious Artist Pham Vu Vuong, Thuan Hoa village, Quang Trung commune (Ngoc Lac) practices performing arts with the locals.

Thanh Hoa has 7 ethnic groups living together, each with its own customs, habits, and cultural characteristics. However, over time with historical changes, those traditional cultural values are inevitably at risk of being lost. Faced with this situation, many elderly people in all localities in the province, with their enthusiasm and responsibility for their ethnic culture, have organized many activities and implemented many effective methods. From there, not only contributing significantly to the preservation and maintenance of traditional culture but also improving the spiritual and cultural life of the people to become increasingly rich and diverse.

Meritorious Artist Nguyen Nhu Chi, Head of the Folk Art Club of But Son Town (Hoang Hoa), said: "In Hoang Hoa district, many localities still preserve Cheo melodies and there are also many people who are passionate about Cheo who are still practicing and performing every day to serve the villagers and important events of the district and the province. Based on the wishes of Cheo lovers, since 2005 we have established the Folk Art Club of But Son town, initially with only 10 members, but up to now there have been 25 members of different ages participating, the youngest is under 25 years old, the oldest is over 80 years old. Although operating in the form of socialization, operating costs, purchasing speakers, props, and musical instruments are mainly contributed by members, but with a passion for Cheo singing, the members of the club have actively composed and performed Cheo melodies with rich and diverse content praising the homeland and the beauty of life. people, propagating the policies of the Party and the State... At the same time, regularly organize cultural and artistic exchanges in residential areas, thereby enriching the spiritual and cultural life of the people. Not only that, the club members also open classes to teach Cheo melodies to the younger generation. Thereby, not only contributing to preserving and promoting the traditional art of the locality, but also creating a bond of village and neighborhood affection, building a cultural life in residential areas".

In Thuan Hoa village, Quang Trung commune, Ngoc Lac mountainous district, there is Meritorious Artisan Pham Vu Vuong. Despite his old age, he still actively practices, performs and strives to teach the art of gong performance to the young. Mr. Vuong said: "Since I was a child, the sound of gongs and cymbals has been deeply ingrained in my soul and subconscious from the times I went to see my grandfathers, grandmothers, or mothers perform. Thanks to that, since I was 7 years old, I have practiced playing gongs and gradually mastered it." With his passion, Mr. Vuong has traveled to many places, met many people to learn and distill the quintessence of gong culture in Muong land. Then, when he grew up, he became more and more aware of the importance of gongs and cymbals in the life of the Muong people. Therefore, he gathered gong lovers and boldly proposed to the local government to establish a gong club with the core force being the elderly in the village.

After its establishment, he and the club members actively practiced ancient gong and cymbal songs and regularly performed in the village to serve the people and performed at events inside and outside the province. In addition, the club also coordinated with schools in Ngoc Lac district to organize exchanges and teach students about Xuong singing melodies and gong performance art... Thereby, contributing to raising students' awareness in preserving and promoting the traditional culture of the Muong ethnic group.

Traveling throughout Thanh Hoa, not only Mr. Chi and Mr. Vuong but also many other elderly people, despite being at an "old age", still play a key role in preserving and promoting the traditional cultural identity of the locality every day. In order to create conditions for the elderly to promote their valuable assets in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, in recent years, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Association of the Elderly has promoted propaganda and mobilized members to promote their role, enthusiasm and responsibility in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values of the locality. Encourage the elderly to gather and establish cultural and artistic clubs; restore and maintain traditional cultural values, customs and practices to teach their children and grandchildren; and then to the local youth. From there, not only promoting traditional cultural values in daily life but also enriching the spiritual and cultural life of the people.

Article and photos: Nguyen Dat

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nguoi-cao-tuoi-giu-gin-ban-sac-van-hoa-truyen-thong-252910.htm