Watch artisans "tell heritage stories" with their hands

The bustling sounds of the drums and the Mong flutes resounded passionately, combined with the vibrant colors of brocade like a magnet "attracting" the footsteps of passersby. Located in the middle of the modern exhibition space, the booth of Lao Cai province stood out like a miniature Northwestern village - a place that not only displayed, but also vividly recreated the vibrant beauty of cultural heritages, bringing a realistic and engaging experience to viewers.

Intentional spatial arrangement

The first thing that makes a strong impression on anyone entering Lao Cai cultural space is not the finished products neatly displayed on the shelves, but the intentional arrangement of the space. Instead of keeping the usual quietness, the display area is “awakened” by lively sounds – where artisans directly make drums and create panpipes right outside, near the main entrance, creating an authentic and attractive atmosphere, as if bringing visitors into the rhythm of local cultural life.

The arrangement of traditional crafts right at the main entrance and the artisans making products right at the Exhibition attracted special attention from visitors.

The "clack" sound of hammers, the "squeak" sound of chisels, the "bung bung" sound of cowhide stretched on the drum surface... all of these lively sounds have become an urgent invitation for visitors to stop by. This new way of doing things has broken down the wall separating viewers and heritage, turning visitors from passive observers into people who directly live in the performance space. They are curious and then stop. They attentively follow every sound, every skillful movement of the artisan, so that their eyes keep looking, their feet keep walking, entering the cultural story in the most natural way until they wake up and find themselves in the middle of the space inside...

Where the guardians of heritage speak out

Amidst the bustling crowd, Ms. Lam Thi Tam, a Tay ethnic artisan from Nghia Do commune, is still attentively using her nimble, skillful hands to weave each bamboo strip, turning rustic materials into sophisticated baskets and trays. With a gentle smile, she gently shared: "I not only bring woven products here to sell, but also bring the soul of the Tay people, the story of the forests and streams in my hometown Nghia Do, into each rattan and bamboo fiber. In the past, our grandparents made these products to serve life, but today, these products have become commodities, a unique cultural feature of the Tay people. We preserve this profession as a treasure. Seeing the people of the capital, especially young people, love these environmentally friendly products, I am really happy. That is the motivation for us to believe that the profession left by our ancestors will never fade away, but will develop even more."

With skillful hands, putting all their heart and soul into each product, the artisans also show visitors the unique cultural features of their people.

Not far away is a stall selling brocade. A Red Dao woman, Mrs. Ly Ta Phay, wears an elaborate traditional costume. Working diligently at the embroidery frame, each of her needle and thread is smooth, soft, and colorful, as if she is painting the story of her people.

Ms. Phay confided: "Each pattern on this fabric has its own meaning, it is a story about life, about the dreams that our parents taught us since we were young. On this occasion, bringing the products to the exhibition, in addition to selling, I also want to let everyone see the elaborateness and meticulousness of hand-embroidered products, that is the beauty of dedication, sweat, the quintessence of the soul of the Red Dao women. It does not lie in the value of money, but in the respect that everyone has for the culture of our Dao people".

"Conservation of caves" - The way to keep heritage alive

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, Director of Lao Cai Provincial Museum, affirmed: "This is a strategic step in preserving and promoting heritage values."

"We call this the "dynamic conservation" method. Instead of keeping artifacts in glass cabinets quietly, we bring the heritage out into the world, so that it can "live" and breathe with the rhythm of society," Mr. Nguyen Van Thang added.

Having artisans, “living human treasures”, directly demonstrate the process of creating the product has created a strong connection with the public. Viewers not only see the final product, but also understand the whole process, appreciating the effort and talent of the person who made it. This is the most intuitive and effective way to introduce heritage, at the same time, opening up economic development opportunities from indigenous culture, linking conservation with sustainable tourism development.

This approach has really touched the hearts of the public. Many families bring their children here not only to watch, but also to learn and experience.

Visitors enjoy experiencing traditional crafts right at the Exhibition.

Mr. Vu Duc Tien, a tourist from Hanoi, could not hide his admiration: "It's amazing! Among countless industrial products, witnessing the ingenuity and patience of the artisans, I see that these products are not only beautiful, but also carry a story, a great environmental value. If we can develop, bring these professions into training and apply them more widely in modern life, it will be a great way to both beautify life and protect the environment."

Leaving the exhibition space of Lao Cai province, everyone carried with them lingering emotions. Not only was it admiration for the exquisite handicrafts, but also respect for the people who diligently preserve the national cultural identity through every line and detail. This "down the street" journey affirmed one thing: heritage only truly has vitality when it is connected to contemporary life, spread and received with all respect.

With the motto of "turning heritage into assets", Lao Cai has affirmed its position as the cultural center of the region, a bright spot in preserving and sustainably developing cultural values ​​so that heritage can "live and breathe" with the heartbeat of society.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/xem-nghe-nhan-ke-chuyen-di-san-bang-doi-tay-post880973.html