Thai Binh: Preserving and developing the treasure trove of cultural heritage.

Preserving unique cultural heritage treasures.

According to cultural researcher Pham Minh Duc, Thai Binh province has a history spanning thousands of years, leaving behind thousands of unique historical and cultural relics such as communal houses, temples, shrines, pagodas, and ancestral halls... Along with that, many famous forms of folk performing arts, hundreds of traditional festivals, and dozens of unique folk games and performances are still maintained to this day.

This presents a great potential for preserving traditional cultural heritage values ​​and developing local tourism . However, to effectively preserve and promote the traditional cultural values ​​of Thai Binh province, in addition to the attention and guidance of Party committees and authorities at all levels, it is necessary to mobilize maximum resources from society, especially the active participation of the local community, which holds the position and role of the subject of cultural heritage.

Keo Pagoda Festival, Duy Nhat commune, Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province. Photo: Thu Huong

According to Mr. Pham Minh Duc, most villages in Thai Binh province now have traditional festivals. Each commune usually has at least one festival, with some having as many as four, encompassing various forms. These festivals not only recreate agricultural life but also honor national heroes and those who have contributed to the nation. In particular, January is the month with the most festivals, creating a joyful and vibrant atmosphere for locals and tourists.

One of the folk festivals held at the beginning of spring in Thai Binh province is the Keo Pagoda Festival (Duy Nhat commune, Vu Thu district). From the early days of the new year, Keo Pagoda attracts a large number of visitors, but the festive atmosphere truly comes alive on the spring festival day, the 4th day of the first lunar month. Visitors come not only to admire the unique architecture, a rare surviving example of ancient cultural structures, but also to witness traditional rituals such as the opening ceremony, the opening of the temple gates commemorating the merits of Zen Master Khong Lo, and especially to participate in the fire-pulling and rice-cooking competition, which has become a distinctive and indispensable cultural feature of each spring festival.

Besides the Keo Pagoda Festival, Thai Binh province also organizes many other unique festivals, such as the Tran Temple Festival, the Tien La Temple Festival commemorating the female general Vu Thi Thuc, the Het Temple Festival honoring General Pham Ngu Lao, and the Thuong Liet Village Festival with its traditional dances. These festivals not only have cultural significance but also provide opportunities for people to interact and connect.

The allure of traditional folk games

Besides festivals, Thai Binh province also preserves many unique traditional folk games. These games are not only entertaining but also contain profound cultural values. Among them, we can mention the fish-making competition at the Tran Temple festival, the fire-pulling rice-cooking competition at the Keo Pagoda festival, and the boat race on the Diem Ho River.

The unique ball wrestling competition at the Hét Temple festival in Thái Thượng commune, Thái Thụy district, Thái Bình province. Photo: Thu Hương

The fish-serving competition at the Tran Temple festival recalls the humble beginnings of the Tran dynasty, closely associated with rivers and waterways, while the "fire-making and rice-cooking" competition recreates the resourcefulness of the army and people during the resistance wars to defend the homeland. In addition, competitions such as making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) or firecracker making contribute to preserving beautiful customs and showcasing the martial spirit of the nation.

According to statistics, Thai Binh province currently preserves more than 40 traditional folk games, including games for children, competitive games, and games for health and well-being. These games are not only for entertainment but also strengthen community bonds, build a rich spiritual life, and create a unique character for Thai Binh's culture.

The birthplace of ancient rowing songs.

Thai Binh province is renowned as the cradle of traditional Cheo (Vietnamese folk opera) melodies. Most professional Cheo theaters and troupes nationwide feature artists from Thai Binh. Many Cheo artists from this province have been awarded prestigious titles such as People's Artist and Meritorious Artist.

Thai Binh is famous as the cradle of traditional Cheo folk songs. Photo: Thu Huong

The Thai Binh Cheo Theatre regularly preserves classic Cheo plays, and generations of artists, even those who have retired, actively participate in teaching at the Thai Binh College of Culture and Arts. This helps to ensure that the essence of Thai Binh Cheo continues to be preserved and promoted.

The love for traditional Vietnamese opera (cheo) is not limited to professional artists; it has spread to many segments of the population. Maintaining cheo clubs in various localities has attracted a large number of participants, from teenagers to the elderly.

In 2023, Thai Binh's Cheo (traditional Vietnamese opera) art was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. In 2024, the Cheo art dossier will be submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Cheo art is not only an art form but also a profound cultural symbol of the people of Thai Binh.

Throughout thousands of years of formation and development, many other forms of folk culture have also been preserved and promoted through generations of people in Thai Binh. These contributions not only enrich the cultural heritage of the country but also affirm Thai Binh's position in preserving and promoting national cultural identity.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thai Binh province, there are currently nearly 3,000 inventoried historical sites in the province; including 2 special national historical sites, more than 120 national-level historical sites, more than 600 provincial-level historical sites, and 2 national treasures. Along with water puppetry, Cheo opera, and Nam Cao silk weaving, Thai Binh also has 9 festivals recognized as national intangible cultural heritage. These are valuable resources that enrich the spiritual life of the local people and are a source of potential for socio -economic development.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/thai-binh-bao-ton-phat-trien-kho-tang-di-san-van-hoa-370381.html