Thieu Trung promotes "soft power"

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Implementing the arrangement and merger of administrative units, the new Thieu Trung commune has not only expanded in area and population size but also become a land of convergence, crystallizing the unique cultural resources of many localities. This is a land rich in tradition, forged from a long history with unique cultural values, now focusing on promoting soft power, creating momentum for the comprehensive development of the locality.

Le Van Huu Temple Festival.

Coming to Thieu Trung today, everyone can feel the new vitality in a land rich in tradition. This is an ancient village with a history of more than 1,000 years. This is also the cradle that nurtured many famous scholars, contributing to the glorious history of the country. Notable among them is historian Le Van Huu - who is known as the founder of Vietnamese history.

Not only is it a land of mandarins, Thieu Trung is also known as the cradle of traditional bronze casting. Bronze casting here has been formed and existed for hundreds of years, becoming the pride of many generations. The sophisticated products not only serve life but are also present in large cultural and religious works across the country. This is also a revolutionary land rich in tradition. During the years of resistance against the US, this place was the working and command bunker of the Standing Committee of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Administrative Committee in the period of 1964-1972, the headquarters of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee in the period of 1967-1973, contributing significantly to the overall victory of the nation.

Currently, Thieu Trung commune has 5 ranked relics, including 2 national relics: the Temple of Historian Le Van Huu - Huong Nghiem Pagoda and Tra Dong Temple (worshiping the founder of bronze casting), 3 provincial relics. In addition, traditional festivals are still maintained, including the festival of Le Van Huu Temple and the festival of the village's tutelary god, which are occasions for people to express their gratitude and educate the morality of "when drinking water, remember its source". In particular, on the anniversary of the founder of bronze casting, people still go to Tra Dong Temple to burn incense, remember the merits of the founder of the profession, and at the same time affirm their determination to continue the profession, preserve the profession and develop the traditional craft village.

One of the great prides of Thieu Trung is the traditional bronze casting craft, which was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018. The commune currently has 8 People's Artisans and Distinguished Artisans - those who have devoted themselves to and kept the craft alive. Many bronze casting products of the craft village are recognized as OCOP products, including 4-star products such as the Bay Tuyen bronze drum, the bronze painting of carp looking at the moon, the Toan Linh bronze drum, the Quy Chau bronze drum... These products not only affirm the traditional cultural value but also gradually conquer the market, becoming a commodity product associated with the local brand.

These precious cultural values ​​have created a foundation for Thieu Trung to develop cultural tourism. In recent years, the locality has welcomed many tourist groups to visit relics, craft villages, and learn about bronze casting. This is an opportunity to promote the local image, at the same time linking economic development with culture, gradually improving people's lives.

Along with preserving and promoting heritage values, Thieu Trung commune also pays attention to building grassroots cultural life. Cultural, folk arts and sports clubs in the villages operate actively, becoming places to preserve and promote traditional values ​​and nurture souls, contributing to spreading civilized lifestyle. Currently, all 34/34 villages in the commune have art teams and sports clubs that maintain regular activities, creating a competitive atmosphere and connecting the community. The system of cultural and sports institutions in the area has been invested synchronously, becoming the center of political and cultural activities of the people, affirming the role of culture as a solid spiritual foundation for development.

According to Vice Chairman of Thieu Trung Commune People's Committee Tran Ngoc Tung, in the new development conditions, the commune focuses on propaganda work, raising people's awareness in preserving and promoting cultural values ​​and building a civilized, modern, professional locality, meeting the requirements of tourism development. In particular, focusing on propaganda about the importance of traditional culture, local advantages to create consensus, join hands to build the brand. With traditional occupations, the locality directs workers to raise awareness of protecting reputation, brand, labeling products, aiming for 100% of bronze casting production facilities to have products that meet OCOP certification.

Along with that, Thieu Trung also promotes the work of inventorying, classifying, and evaluating the current status of relics, mobilizing resources to restore and embellish relics, promoting heritage values ​​associated with tourism development. The locality focuses on diversifying tourism products, combining visiting relics, experiencing craft villages, and learning about traditional culture, thereby both preserving heritage and developing tourism, promoting Thieu Trung land and people, and affirming the Thieu Trung "brand" on the cultural - tourism map.

With a rich heritage treasure and new vitality, Thieu Trung commune is gradually promoting cultural resources effectively; making culture a bond that connects the community, a "soft power" for the locality to realize its goals of comprehensive and sustainable development.

Article and photos: Thuy Linh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thieu-trung-phat-huy-suc-manh-mem-259652.htm