UNESCO recognizes "Dong Ho folk painting craft" as intangible cultural heritage

According to a VNA reporter in Paris, at 4:08 p.m. on December 9 local time (3:08 p.m. the same day in Vietnam), at the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003 held in New Delhi (India), the heritage of "Dong Ho folk painting craft" of Bac Ninh province was officially listed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Artisans demonstrate the techniques of making Dong Ho folk paintings at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. Photo: Ngoc Thuy - Correspondent of VNA in New Delhi

This is Vietnam's 17th intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO, marking an important milestone in the nation's efforts to preserve and promote its cultural heritage values.

Speaking immediately after the heritage was inscribed, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong - Head of the Vietnamese delegation attending the Session - said that the inscription of "Dong Ho folk painting craft" on the List of Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding demonstrates the high appreciation of the international community for the unique, historical, and profound humanistic values ​​of this folk painting tradition that has been closely associated with the cultural life of the Vietnamese people for hundreds of years, and is also a timely recognition of a heritage facing a high risk of disappearing.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that Vietnamese government agencies will continue to pay attention to and support localities and heritage-owning communities in protecting intangible heritage so that the heritage is not only protected but also transmitted and its vitality sustainably promoted.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism , Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee Hoang Dao Cuong speaks at the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. Photo: Ngoc Thuy - Correspondent of VNA in New Delhi

Mr. Mai Son - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province - emotionally announced that at the moment the session considered the inscription of "Dong Ho folk painting craft," the entire community of heritage custodians and many people of Bac Ninh province attentively followed and were extremely excited when "Dong Ho folk painting craft" was officially inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguard.

Mr. Mai Son emphasized that Dong Ho folk paintings demonstrate sophisticated knowledge and woodblock printing techniques, with natural colors, vividly reflecting the life, customs, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. This recognition has great significance for the heritage community in particular and for the people of Bac Ninh in general. He thanked the countries for their support and affirmed Bac Ninh province's commitment to seriously implement the plan to protect this important heritage.

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to UNESCO, expressed her honor and delight at being present at this memorable moment. She stated that this event not only contributes to honoring the traditional cultural values ​​of Vietnam within the treasure trove of human civilization's heritage but also serves as vivid evidence of UNESCO and the international community's appreciation for Vietnam's contributions to protecting cultural diversity and promoting sustainable development. The event is even more significant in the context of Vietnam and UNESCO looking forward to 2026 with rich and distinctive activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's membership in UNESCO (1976-2026).

The success of the nomination dossier for "Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft" is the result of persistent efforts, meticulous preparation, and close coordination between the Dong Ho folk painting community, the Bac Ninh provincial government, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, heritage experts, and the active coordination and collaboration of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee throughout the process of building, refining, and campaigning for the dossier.

The dossier was highly praised for its quality and persuasiveness, clearly demonstrating Vietnam's strong commitment to heritage preservation, ensuring continuity and authenticity, while highlighting the participation and central role of the community of creators, preservers, and transmitters of crafts.

In the coming period, the UNESCO inscription of the "Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft" heritage will create an important foundation for Vietnam in general and Bac Ninh province in particular to continue implementing comprehensive measures for the urgent and long-term protection of this heritage, in accordance with UNESCO's recommendations; mobilizing diverse resources, strengthening education and training for the younger generation, linking preservation with the promotion of heritage values ​​in contemporary life and sustainable socio-economic development.

In addition, Vietnam will promote the image of the "Dong Ho folk painting craft" in particular and Vietnamese cultural heritage in general to international friends, thereby making a positive contribution to the world's common efforts in protecting the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

NBO

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/unesco-cong-nhan-nghe-lam-tranh-dan-gian-dong-ho-la-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-251210095031562.html