Building exemplary cultural villages - The key lies in the strength of the people.

"Exemplary Cultural Villages" are models considered to be people-centered, where people both implement and benefit from the initiatives. Therefore, the most important factor in successfully building an "Exemplary Cultural Village" is the collective effort and solidarity of the people.

When the people are united

Since 2022, when the plan to develop Hamlet 8 in Nghi Lam Commune, Nghi Loc District into a "Model Cultural Village" at the provincial level was announced, the people of Hamlet 8, Nghi Lam Commune, have enthusiastically contributed their labor and resources. Mr. Nguyen Van Hoi, a policy officer of Nghi Lam Commune, said: "We informed the hamlet officials and residents that, to become a 'Model Cultural Village,' several criteria need to be added, such as completing the cultural center and sports facilities, supplementing the regulations and customs, and perfecting green, clean, and beautiful models." These criteria are largely met in Hamlet 8, but to make it more complete and presentable, the most important thing is the contribution and joint efforts of the people.

The Hamlet 8 Steering Committee immediately organized a meeting with residents to collectively resolve to complete Hamlet 8 according to the established criteria. This included installing cameras at central points in the hamlet, establishing a properly managed public garbage disposal system, and creating flower-lined and flag-lined streets that meet standards. Furthermore, in the hamlet's regulations, residents discussed the need for penalties for citizens who lack awareness regarding garbage disposal: a first offense would result in a fine of 500,000 VND, and a second offense incurring a fine of 1,000,000 VND.

"The people know this is a considerable fine, but they fully agree with it. They believe that regulations should be specific and have a deterrent effect," shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam, head of Hamlet 8.

The performing arts group of Hamlet 8, Nghi Lam Commune, performing at the National Unity Day celebration. Photo: CSCC

Building flagpoles or adding facilities to sports fields and cultural centers requires a significant amount of funding. Therefore, the challenging problem is how to mobilize public support while simultaneously contributing to the completion of the new rural development program. However, after effective outreach, the people have become determined to make it happen.

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“We have a group of people who work far from home, and when we raise funds for village projects, almost everyone in the group contributes. Besides that, the villagers, to varying degrees, voluntarily support the movement. Therefore, although there are no benefactors, the amount of funding contributed by the people for each project reaches almost 100%, and for projects supported by the government, the people contribute up to 50-70%.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam - Head of Hamlet 8, Nghi Lam Commune, Nghi Loc District

Cultural and sports facilities are being utilized to their full potential in Hamlet 8, Nghi Lam Commune. Photo: Thanh Nga

Hamlet 8 currently has 250 out of 267 households recognized as "Culturally Advanced Families" for three consecutive years, including 7 exemplary culturally advanced families recognized for two consecutive years. The percentage of people participating in physical exercise and sports in the hamlet reaches 45%, and 50% of families meet the standards of a "sports family". The living standards of the people are steadily improving, with an average per capita income of 63 million VND per year.

Hamlet 8, Nghi Lam commune, receives the title of Exemplary Cultural Village at the provincial level in 2024. Photo: CSCC

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Duong, Deputy Head of the Culture, Science and Information Department of Nghi Loc District, said: "To date, Nghi Loc District has 15 exemplary cultural villages, all of which are strongly promoting the cultural values ​​that the people and authorities here have diligently cultivated."

Thai ethnic folk song club in Nua village. Photo: CSCC

To promote the movement of exemplary cultural villages within the community, Con Cuong district has focused on building cultural villages right at community tourism destinations in recent years. Among them, Nua village is a prime example. In Nua village, the people are the main actors in organizing cultural activities at the grassroots level and providing excellent service to tourist groups. The Party Secretary of Nua village, Mr. Vi Van Hien, stated: "When registering to build an exemplary cultural village, the people also commit to the village that they will promote the title of 'Cultural Family' with a target of over 90% and 'Sports Family' with a target of over 50%. 90% or more of the people in the village will adhere to the village's customs and regulations."

Women of Nua village. Photo: CSCC

Mr. Nguyen Cong Hien, Deputy Head of the Culture, Science and Information Department of Con Cuong District, said: Con Cuong District is moving towards building four exemplary cultural village models; however, to achieve a standard model, the most important thing is the joint effort of the people.

The strength of the people is the soul of the model.

Regarding the construction of exemplary cultural villages at the provincial level, according to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen - Head of the Cultural Affairs Department, Provincial Cultural Center: "When the criteria for exemplary cultural models at the provincial level were issued by the Department of Culture according to Decision No. 1469/QD-SVHTT dated May 24, 2023 of the Department of Culture and Sports (now the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism), we concretized the construction of exemplary cultural villages into specific criteria to suit the needs of the people, and also as a model for other places to learn from."

According to Ms. Huyen, the criteria will be specified as follows: In the criteria for building a cultural life, each cultural village must supplement its regulations and customs to suit modern life; building and effectively promoting cultural and sports facilities requires constructing village cultural centers with a minimum seating capacity of 70%, and ensuring at least 70% participation in activities; building cultured individuals and cultured families in Nghe An requires a rate of cultured families of 85% or higher; and a rate of families participating in sports activities higher than the provincial average…

In addition, for a green, clean, and beautiful environment, a model cultural village must have flower-lined streets, flag-lined streets, and sufficient greenery along village roads, cultural centers, and public areas; a visual propaganda system must be installed according to regulations and ensure aesthetics; and production and business activities must comply with legal regulations on environmental protection…

From 2001 to the present, the Provincial Cultural Center has developed nearly 200 exemplary cultural models. In 2024, the province had 18 exemplary cultural models at the provincial level, including 7 exemplary village, hamlet, and neighborhood models. This year, the center will develop 8 exemplary village, hamlet, and neighborhood models throughout the province.

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"According to the regulations outlined in Resolution No. 20/2022/NQ-HĐND dated November 12, 2022, on some policies supporting the development of grassroots cultural life in Nghe An province, each exemplary cultural model will receive support of 20 million VND. From there, the government will mobilize the people's participation in completing these facilities. However, the most crucial thing is that each location being reviewed must have a strong foundation of public support, unity, and enthusiasm in implementation and benefiting from it."

Mr. Cao Van Xich - Director of the Provincial Cultural Center

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/xay-dung-lang-van-hoa-tieu-bieu-cot-o-suc-dan-10295692.html