Treating national treasures appropriately.

A thousand-year-old treasure of Bac Ninh land.

Through the ups and downs of history, although many heritage items have been lost or altered, the Kinh Bac - Bac Ninh region still preserves many unique artifacts, including 24 items that have been recognized as national treasures. These treasures are currently preserved in historical sites and museums such as: Dau Pagoda, Phat Tich Pagoda, But Thap Pagoda, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Bo Da Pagoda, Le Van Thinh Temple, Bac Ninh Confucius Temple, provincial museums, and private museums...

International tourists visit the national treasure, the Amitabha Buddha statue made of green stone, at Phat Tich Pagoda (Phat Tich commune).

Many treasures are considered benchmarks of Vietnamese Buddhist sculpture, achieving perfection in both craftsmanship and symbolism, such as: the Thousand-Eyed, Thousand-Handed Goddess of Mercy statue, the Four Dharma statues system of the Dau - Luy Lau region, the set of Three Patriarchs of Truc Lam Pagoda at Vinh Nghiem Temple, or the Golden Seal of the Emperor - a symbol of power of the Vietnamese feudal regime...

Each artifact carries a unique story, linked to significant events, figures, or beliefs, aiding in the study and understanding of important events and periods in the nation's history. For example, the "Relic Pagoda Inscription" stele, dating back to 601, after deciphering its contents, revealed a crucial historical event: Emperor Wen of Sui wanted to control the level of subservience of Giao Chau through religious activities, specifically the distribution of Buddha relics. Nguyen Van An, a specialist in Han Nom studies (a staff member of the Bac Ninh Museum No. 2), one of the first to access and translate the 601 stele, assessed it as a unique tangible cultural heritage, providing important evidence for identifying the place name Long Bien and the name of Thien Chung Pagoda during the Northern domination period in the 7th century. It also serves as a basis for studying beliefs, as well as the political and social situation, diplomatic relations, and history of Vietnamese Buddhism during the Pre-Ly Dynasty.

Similarly, the uniquely crafted stone dragon (serpent god) with its "mouth biting its body, feet tearing itself apart" at the Le Van Thinh temple is also considered by researchers as a message from ancestors regarding the wrongful conviction of "Ho Dam Dam" in history... Regardless of form, content, and material, each treasure carries a deeply humanistic message, reflecting the worldview and philosophy of life of each historical period, aiming towards the values of truth, goodness, and beauty. It is not only a golden relic of the past, but also a "messenger" connecting tradition with modernity, telling historical and cultural stories, contributing to the cultivation of identity, and inspiring contemporary creations.

Awakening the unique value

Proudly residing in a place known as the "land of pure treasures," and having weathered centuries of historical ups and downs, the rare and valuable artifacts left behind by our ancestors have always been cherished, preserved, protected, and promoted by generations of people in Bac Ninh with all their intellect. Dr. Nguyen Van Dap, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, affirmed: Preserving and promoting the value of these treasures not only signifies respect for history but also fosters national pride and instills national character in future generations. When national treasures are vividly recreated in the language of the modern era, they become a source of inspiration and a sustainable cultural asset.

The precious golden seal "Emperor's Treasure" is currently being preserved at the Nam Hong Royal Museum (Tu Son Ward).

In recent years, Bac Ninh has made significant progress in protecting national treasures. Most relics containing treasures have been reinforced against termites, equipped with fire alarm systems, 24/7 surveillance cameras, and have permanent guards on duty. Some treasures of exceptional value, such as the "Xá Lợi Tháp Minh" stele and the "Dong Son culture bronze vessel," are preserved in reinforced glass display cases. Notably, the "Hoang De Chi Bao" gold seal is even protected in a bulletproof glass case with a fingerprint lock.

Alongside preservation, the province focuses on promoting the value of national treasures through diverse forms such as: exhibitions and presentations in museums; promotion through books, brochures, documentaries, television programs, electronic lectures, and the organization of free tours... Many national treasures are integrated into local education programs, helping the younger generation access and gain a better understanding of their homeland's heritage. Bilingual signage systems, automatic narration, and virtual reality experiences are also being piloted at some historical sites. Notably, some treasures have been replicated and restored at a 1:1 scale for display in many major museums or crafted into miniature versions as gifts, such as: the Amitabha Buddha statue at Phat Tich Pagoda, the Thousand-Eyed, Thousand-Handed Bodhisattva statue at But Thap Pagoda, and the stone pillar at Dam Pagoda...

National treasures are unique, rare artifacts, assessed according to scientific criteria based on their outstanding historical and cultural values. However, the journey to awaken and promote the value of these treasures still faces many challenges. According to experts, awakening the value of national treasures is not just about safe preservation "in a glass case," but also about promoting and disseminating them to the public, linking them with tourism, design, fashion, film, and souvenir products. Therefore, in the coming time, along with strengthening propaganda and promotion, the province needs to develop a separate project with mechanisms to support localities in preserving and promoting the value of national treasures. Simultaneously, it should invest in applying digital technology, building 3D databases, virtual reality, multilingual explanations, and an open search system so that the community can utilize materials from these treasures to create new cultural products. Furthermore, we will continue to encourage extracurricular activities, school theater, organize literary and art workshops, and create creative spaces to awaken the unique value of national treasures...

Text and photos: Thanh Lam

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/ung-xu-phu-hop-voi-bao-vat-quoc-gia-postid432986.bbg