Promoting the cultural strength of the ancient capital

The Resolution of the 22nd Provincial Party Congress, term 2020-2025, emphasized: "Promoting the historical and cultural values of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu; comprehensively developing culture and society; valuing grassroots culture, building a civilized lifestyle; preserving and promoting heritage values." This demonstrates the province's strong political determination to promote cultural values in conjunction with the strength of Ninh Binh's people in the new era, and serves as a basis for all levels, sectors, localities, and units to focus on building culture into a powerful driving force and intrinsic strength for the comprehensive development of all political, economic, and social fields.

Accordingly, to translate cultural policies and viewpoints into practical actions and to foster cultural development, many specific programs and plans have been implemented. In 2021, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 90 on the development of culture and sports in Ninh Binh province for the period 2021-2025; the Department of Culture and Sports implemented the Project on building cultural products to promote the cultural and historical values of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital to serve tourism development for the period 2021-2025; and the Project "Preserving and promoting the historical, cultural, and traditional values of the people and land of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital for the period 2021-2030".

From 2021 to the present, the province has invested more than 132 billion VND in restoring and preserving historical and cultural relics. The increased recurrent budget has created a solid foundation for the province's cultural development, while also demonstrating Ninh Binh province's determination to develop its cultural strengths.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the temporary suspension or rescheduling of some cultural and sports activities, and the emergence of many unplanned tasks, once the pandemic was basically under control, from 2021 to the present, the province has hosted many important events such as: the Opening Ceremony of the National Tourism Year - Hoa Lu Festival 2021; the Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Ninh Binh's Name (1822 - 2022) and the 30th Anniversary of the Re-establishment of the Province (April 1, 1992 - April 1, 2022); the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Convention on the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the reception of the UNESCO Director-General; the Ninh Binh Expanded Xam Singing Festival 2022; the 3rd "Hoa Lu Beauty Contest"; and the Ninh Binh Festival 2022 - Trang An Connecting Heritage. Organizing activities to commemorate the 1,055th anniversary of the Dai Co Viet State (968 - 2023); the scientific conference "Ancient Ninh Binh Pottery - Tradition and Modernity"... Through these activities, the strength of culture in the historical process and in the current context is highlighted; many suggestions and positive solutions are offered to promote cultural development on par with the economy and politics in the overall development of society.

Alongside this, a series of programs, activities, and specific actions in the fields of culture, arts, and social life have taken place enthusiastically. Both the political system and the people have a clearer understanding of the value and significance of culture that has been and is being disseminated. Arts and sports groups have been established and regularly organize activities, contributing to the preservation and exploitation of folk songs, folk dances, and traditional folk performances, creating healthy playgrounds for everyone and nurturing talents among young people. Many models for preserving and promoting traditional cultural and artistic values have been maintained and are operating effectively.

Currently, in the province, 142 out of 143 communes, wards, and towns have cultural centers (99.3%), 140 out of 143 communes, wards, and towns have sports complexes (97.9%), and 1,601 out of 1,679 (95.35%) villages, hamlets, and residential areas have cultural centers with sports fields or sports complexes. The system of sports fields and playgrounds for children has been strengthened, renovated, and upgraded, including 685 badminton courts, 212 basic sports fields, 450 football fields, 75 tennis courts, 437 volleyball courts, 148 basketball courts, 96 single-sport training and competition facilities, and 43 multi-purpose sports training and competition facilities…

The movement for national unity in building a cultured way of life, especially the movement to build cultured families, has become an integral part of life and a regular activity in residential communities. Through this, many valuable traditional cultural values of the nation are preserved and promoted, contributing to the building of a healthy cultural life in residential communities. In 2022, 91.86% of families in the province achieved the title of cultured family; 97.56% of residential areas achieved the title of cultured residential area; and 850 out of 1,085 (78.34%) agencies, units, and businesses were recognized with the title of cultured... The preservation of cultural heritage has also received attention.

The Department of Culture and Sports has compiled dossiers proposing the inclusion of the following intangible cultural heritage items in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage: "Nộn Khê Village Festival" in Yên Từ commune, Yên Mô district; "Kim Sơn sedge weaving" in Kim Sơn district; "Ninh Hải embroidery" in Ninh Hải commune, Hoa Lư district; "Kim Sơn cuisine"; and "Mo Mường rituals in Ninh Bình province." It has also collaborated in developing a national scientific dossier on the Mo Mường cultural heritage to be submitted to UNESCO for inscription on the list of intangible cultural heritages in need of urgent safeguarding.

In collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thai Binh province, Hanoi National University is developing a national scientific dossier on the cultural heritage of "Cheo art of the Red River Delta".

Successfully co-organized scientific seminars such as "Research, preservation and promotion of the heritage value of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital"; "Ninh Binh in the historical process and the cause of innovation"; "Current situation and solutions for preserving and promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage of Xam singing art in Ninh Binh"...

On the path towards successfully implementing the Resolution of the 22nd Provincial Party Congress and the Resolutions of Party Congresses at all levels for the 2020-2025 term, the Culture and Sports sector strives to complete several key tasks by 2025, including: achieving a 90% rate of culturally exemplary families; a 92% rate of culturally exemplary residential areas; an 80% rate of culturally exemplary agencies, units, and enterprises; a 98.5% rate of communes and wards with cultural centers; a 97% rate of residential areas with cultural centers; the restoration and preservation of 20-25 historical sites annually; the number of historical sites ranked at the provincial and national levels from 2021 to 2025 reaching 40; and completing the "Project for the preservation, restoration, archaeological excavation, and promotion of the historical and cultural value of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Special National Historical Site"...

It is determined that cultural spirit serves as a guiding principle in the implementation process and will continue to be exploited, created, and applied in practice, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province, building a Ninh Binh homeland that is innovative and integrated, and preserving sustainable cultural values in the development process.

Hanh Chi

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