Kinh Bac cultural quintessence shines at UNESCO

The program was jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province and the Vietnamese Delegation to UNESCO on the sidelines of the 221st Session of the UNESCO Executive Board.

Through artistic performances and cultural experiences, Vietnam hopes to spread the core values ​​of national culture and receive UNESCO's support in recognizing Dong Ho painting as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection.

“Vietnam - Cultural quintessence and Aspiration to rise” not only introduces to international friends the unique beauty of typical cultural heritages of Kinh Bac region such as Quan Ho folk songs and Dong Ho folk paintings, but also affirms Vietnam's active and proactive role in preserving and promoting cultural values.

Hands-on experience making Dong Ho folk paintings. (Photo: MINH DUY)

The program was attended by President of the UNESCO General Conference Simona-Mirela Miculescu, Deputy Director-General Xing Qu, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Lidia Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General forEducation Giannini Stefania, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Information Jelassi Mohamed, along with many Ambassadors, Heads of Delegations of UNESCO member states, experts and international friends.

On the Vietnamese side, there were Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van; Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province Le Xuan Loi; Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang; Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO Nguyen Thi Van Anh; Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO - Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Le Thi Hong Van, and representatives of central and local ministries and branches.

Introducing the program, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO, said that the event was organized to honor culture, mutual understanding and respect, friendship and cooperation between peoples and nations.

The art of calligraphy attracts the attention of diplomatic guests. (Photo: MINH DUY)

Bac Ninh province is a land rich in tradition located right at the gateway to Hanoi capital with folk songs and folk arts.

Along with that, the unique culinary space and tea art brought guests unforgettable experiences about the spiritual life of Vietnamese people. Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh emphasized: Vietnam is currently the 5th largest tea producing and exporting country in the world.

Also on this occasion, to celebrate the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2025), the exhibition space introduces President Ho Chi Minh, the outstanding leader of the Vietnamese people, honored by UNESCO as "National Liberation Hero, Outstanding Cultural Figure of Vietnam".

The exhibition space introduces President Ho Chi Minh, the outstanding leader of the Vietnamese people, honored by UNESCO as "National Liberation Hero, Outstanding Cultural Man of Vietnam". (Photo: KHAI HOAN)

Speaking at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van emphasized: Vietnam is in an era of growth - a development journey based on knowledge, innovation and aspiration. On that journey, culture is the spiritual foundation, the endogenous resource, the driving force for sustainable development.

According to Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van, the Vietnamese Cultural Night is even more meaningful as it is part of a series of activities to celebrate the 135th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh. This is an opportunity to honor the ideological, moral and cultural heritage values ​​that President Ho Chi Minh left behind, while also strongly spreading the message of peace, humanity and international cooperation that he pursued throughout his life.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that introducing Bac Ninh - the homeland of Quan Ho and Dong Ho paintings - is an opportunity to spread the core values ​​of Vietnamese culture, while demonstrating the increasingly deep connection between Vietnam and UNESCO.

At the same time, the leaders of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs highly appreciated the effective support and cooperation of UNESCO and member countries, including Vietnam, to strengthen efforts to promote cultural values.

Traditional clay sculpture art of Ho Village. (Photo: MINH DUY)

Introducing Kinh Bac homeland, Vice Chairman of Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee Le Xuan Loi said that Bac Ninh is located at the northeastern gateway of Hanoi Capital, in the northern key economic region, is a place with a long-standing historical and cultural tradition, and is a place where folk cultural treasures converge.

Mr. Le Xuan Loi proudly emphasized that Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs are a unique and distinctive art form among the folk performing arts of Vietnam and were recognized by UNESCO in 2009. The province has also made continuous efforts over the past 15 years to protect and promote the value of this heritage, while introducing and promoting Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs to international friends.

The Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province hopes to receive the attention and support of diplomats and cultural representatives of countries in promoting Vietnamese culture, especially Bac Ninh culture, to international friends, contributing to strengthening friendship and cooperation between countries.

On this occasion, Mr. Le Xuan Loi expressed his wish to receive support from UNESCO in recognizing Dong Ho folk painting as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection in 2025.

The UNESCO Deputy Director General hopes that Vietnam will continue to promote its dynamic role in the field of heritage conservation and promotion of human cultural values. (Photo: MINH DUY)

For his part, UNESCO Deputy Director-General Xing Qu expressed his delight at the increasingly developing partnership between Vietnam and UNESCO, especially after the visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to UNESCO headquarters.

He highly appreciated Vietnam's role and active and effective contributions to UNESCO as a member of six key governing mechanisms.

Mr. Xing Qu affirmed that this event not only aims to honor the richness and diversity of Vietnamese culture, a strong and resilient country that overcomes all challenges, but is also an opportunity for international friends to express their support and close relationship with Vietnam.

The UNESCO Deputy Director General hopes that Vietnam will continue to promote its dynamic role in the United Nations cultural agency, especially in the field of heritage conservation and promotion of human cultural values.

The night promoting Kinh Bac culture with smooth and profound Quan Ho performances truly conquered the hearts of international delegations, bringing unforgettable cultural experiences.

In addition to art performances, the event also introduces a space to experience Dong Ho paintings, calligraphy and clay sculpture, bringing an image of Vietnam that is both traditional and creative, interactive and intimate.

In addition, representatives of UNESCO member countries delegations also enjoyed Vietnamese cuisine and Vietnamese tea art.

Space to introduce Vietnamese tea flavors from the Sobica brand. (Photo: MINH DUY)

In addition to art performances and cultural experiences, the event also introduces an exhibition space about the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh - National Liberation Hero, Outstanding Cultural Man - on the occasion of the 135th anniversary of his birth.

The exhibition includes typical images and documents about President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary journey and profound humanistic thoughts, thereby honoring his great contributions to the cause of fighting for national independence, peace, friendship and sustainable development - which are also the core values ​​that UNESCO upholds.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tinh-hoa-van-hoa-kinh-bac-toa-sang-tai-unesco-post871443.html