Village culture in building model cultural villages

Village culture is a miniature of national culture. In the current flow of integration and development, preserving and promoting village cultural values is of special importance, not only to preserve national cultural identity but also to be a driving force for sustainable socio-economic development. Therefore, the province pays special attention to preserving village culture, considering it an important task in building a Model Cultural Village (LVHKM).

The Song Festival is held annually by the people of Huong Canh town, contributing to preserving the local cultural identity. Photo: Kim Ly

Villages are long-standing residences of rural people, with their own scope and characteristics. During the development process, villages are divided into hamlets and villages to facilitate state management. Along with the urbanization process, the concepts of residential groups and neighborhoods with similar functions have emerged and formed.

According to the Vietnamese concept, the village is a big family, a miniature society. Each village is a community closely linked together by family, neighbor, clan relationships... along with historical, cultural, religious, etiquette, customary values... that create the unique characteristics of each village.

Preserving the cultural identity of the village is necessary in the current context, when traditional cultural values are being negatively affected by the intrusion of foreign cultures.

The issue of preserving village culture and building cultural villages has always been of interest to all levels and sectors in the province. In particular, the movement to build cultural villages in the province has received the attention and direction of all levels and sectors and the participation and response of many classes of people.

Thereby, promoting the spirit of "Mutual love and support", helping each other to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty; raising awareness of community self-management; mobilizing huge resources among the people to build facilities, infrastructure, cultural and sports institutions; creating changes and progress in implementing civilized lifestyles, practicing thrift in weddings, funerals, and festivals; maintaining and developing cultural and artistic movements; preserving and promoting national cultural heritages, fine customs and traditions; preventing and repelling social evils... In 2022, the whole province will have 1,151/1,237 villages, hamlets, and residential groups meeting cultural standards (93%).

In order to continue preserving and promoting the cultural values of villages in modern life, in 2023, the province issued a policy to build LVHKM with the goal of building typical cultural villages to become livable places, developing synchronously, comprehensively, and sustainably in terms of economy, culture, society, environment, and national defense and security; maintaining ecological balance, harmony with nature, and national cultural identity; people have a stable, prosperous, and happy life.

After nearly 1 year of implementation, the Project to build LVHKM has shown initial effectiveness. The system of cultural and sports facilities of some LVHKM has been inaugurated and put into use, becoming meeting places, sports training, cultural and artistic activities, reading books, newspapers, etc. for local people. The cultural values of the village are respected, preserved, conserved and promoted.

As a locality with advantages in agriculture, culture, tourism, craft villages, Trong Ngoai residential group, Huong Canh town, Binh Xuyen district was selected by the province as one of 30 villages, hamlets, and residential groups to build LVHKM. At the end of August 2023, the cultural - sports facility area of Trong Ngoai LVHKM was inaugurated and put into use with full items of cultural houses, sports areas, parks, flower gardens, trees, walking gardens, meeting the expectations and waiting of the people. This is also a place to display pottery village products, artifacts of the Song Pulling Festival.

Vice Chairwoman of Huong Canh Town People's Committee Vu Thi Thuy Hang said: "Although Huong Canh has become a town, the traditional values of the ancient village are still maintained in modern life. In 2023, Huong Canh communal house cluster (Huong Canh, Tien Canh, Ngoc Canh) was ranked as a special national monument. Every year, local people organize the Song Pulling Festival (recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity)".

Huong Canh pottery village was formed hundreds of years ago and is still "on fire". In addition, the traditional dishes of Huong Canh people such as porridge and rice cakes have helped many households develop their economy and increase their income.

The construction of the LVHKM helps preserve the cultural values of the village, enhance and promote local cultural heritages, and improve the cultural and spiritual life of the people. People unite, support and help each other; comply with the Party's policies and guidelines, the State's laws, and local conventions and covenants.

Preserving and promoting village cultural values is an important content in building LVHKM. This is the right direction, the creative way of Vinh Phuc contributing to building an advanced culture, imbued with national identity.

Belarus

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