The guardians of the "ancient script" in Tho Tang

Amidst the vibrant life of Tho Tang – one of the bustling trading centers of Phu Tho province – there remains a tranquil space where inkstones, brushes, and nostalgic souls are diligently working to "revive" the Han Nom heritage.

A special class amidst the fast pace of modern life.

In the ancient setting of Truc Lam Temple, the Han Nom (classical Chinese and Vietnamese script) class of the Tho Tang Han Nom Club regularly takes place every Monday and Thursday morning. Without electronic whiteboards or modern equipment, the class consists only of old notebooks, brushes, and the slow, rhythmic sound of spelling out words in the tranquil space. Yet, this very place preserves a part of the national cultural soul amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life.

For nearly two years now, rain or shine, the club members have maintained their regular study sessions. Most of the students are elderly, their hair graying, but their eyes still shine with passion as they carefully write each character. For them, learning Han Nom characters is not only about improving memory and maintaining mental clarity, but also a way to preserve their cultural roots for future generations.

A calligraphy lesson for members of the Tho Tang Han Nom Club.

While carefully practicing a difficult stroke of the character, Mr. Vu Van Mam, a member of the club, shared: "I am 83 years old this year, and I participate in learning to understand the characters left behind by our ancestors. Han Nom characters are not just letters, but also history and the cultural roots of our nation. Although we are old, everyone tries to attend all the classes, because this is both a joy and a responsibility to our tradition."

Mr. Vu Van Mam (on the right) practices calligraphy during class.

In their later years, attending classes is not simply about learning to read and write, but also an opportunity to meet, chat, and share the joys of life. These classes are therefore always warm, intimate, and full of community spirit.

Thổ Tang is a land rich in historical traditions, with a system of communal houses, temples, pagodas, and shrines, along with many ancient royal decrees, inscriptions, horizontal plaques, and couplets that are still preserved. This has motivated many people to seek out classes to learn and understand the cultural values ​​left behind by their ancestors.

Mr. Vu Van Hau, a member of the club, said: "Interacting with the culture of our ancestors helps me feel more at ease and peaceful. I hope that in the future I can pass on this knowledge to my children and grandchildren so that they will further appreciate the traditions of my family and homeland."

The need to "decode" cultural values ​​in everyday life has become the driving force behind many people seeking out these classes. From their initial attempts at writing, they gradually gain access to the wealth of knowledge left behind by their ancestors.

Without professional teachers, remuneration, or financial support, the class is maintained entirely on a voluntary basis. Those with more knowledge teach those with less, and older students guide younger ones. This dedication and sharing have created a unique learning environment – ​​simple yet passionate and effective.

Mr. Vu Van Cuu, one of the people who has been involved with the class since its inception and is currently teaching literacy in the club, shared: “Initially, everyone was bewildered because we had to learn the alphabet, with 214 radicals, just like children learning to write in the Vietnamese Quốc ngữ script. Then we learned to combine letters, read their meanings, and understand their content. The happiest moment is when we look at the large calligraphic inscriptions and couplets in the village temple and understand the messages our ancestors wanted to convey.”

Mr. Vu Van Cuu is one of the instructors at the Tho Tang Han Nom Club.

The course curriculum is structured from basic to advanced levels. Students not only learn to write but also to read, understand meaning, and practice writing sentences and paragraphs. Some members even practice Han Nom calligraphy, transforming ancient characters into works of art imbued with traditional artistic and cultural value.

Beyond simply learning the script, the Thổ Tang Hán Nôm Club also researches and translates ancient texts related to local history, such as royal decrees, family genealogies, and inscriptions. Through this, they contribute to helping people better understand their origins and traditions.

The initiator and maintainer of the club is Mr. Do Van Trai, the head of the Tho Tang Han Nom Club. Speaking about the circumstances that led to the establishment of the class, Mr. Trai said: “I have always been concerned about the gradual decline of Han Nom script over time. This is a precious cultural treasure of our nation and needs to be preserved. Fortunately, when we established the class, we received enthusiastic support from the people, showing that the love for traditional culture is still present.”

The establishment of the Tho Tang Han Nom Club stems not only from personal passion but also from a responsibility towards cultural heritage. In a context where many traditional values ​​are gradually fading, activities like this become even more meaningful.

Although the number of young people participating is not large at present, the perseverance of the club members is quietly keeping the flame of Han Nom script alive in the Tho Tang region every day.

Mr. Do Van Trai - Head of the Tho Tang Han Nom Club (in the blue shirt) - is attentively studying new vocabulary.

The club members chat after school.

From characters that seemed to have faded into the past, the members of the Tho Tang Han Nom Club are rekindling their passion and preserving the cultural memories of their village. And from these simple strokes of ink today, the values ​​of their ancestors will continue to spread and endure through time.

Ha Giang

Source: https://baophutho.vn/nhung-nguoi-giu-hon-chu-co-o-tho-tang-254123.htm