Considering awarding the titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist: Promoting the continuation and promotion of heritage values

VHO - On the morning of October 15, the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized the 4th training and guidance conference on the awarding of the titles "People's Artisan" and "Meritorious Artisan" (NNND, NNUT) in the field of intangible cultural heritage in Hanoi.

Add more types of titles to be considered

On June 24, 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 1690/QD-BVHTTDL promulgating the Plan for considering and awarding the titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist in the field of intangible cultural heritage for the fourth time.

Compared to previous awards, Decree 93/2023/ND-CP of the Government regulating the awarding of the titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist in the field of intangible cultural heritage, effective from February 15, 2024, has many innovations compared to Decree 62/2014/ND-CP.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang (Head of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage Management, Department of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), in addition to the 6 types of intangible cultural heritage previously regulated: Language, writing; folk literature; folk performing arts; social customs and beliefs; traditional festivals; folk knowledge, Decree 93 adds the type of traditional handicrafts.

Answering artisans' questions about clearly defining the boundaries between handicrafts and traditional crafts so that districts and towns can guide artisans, Dr. Nguyen Thu Trang said that traditional crafts include cultural expressions expressed through the practice and creativity of individuals and communities in the form of crafts with techniques, forms, decorations, arts, and materials that have indigenous elements and are passed down from generation to generation to create unique products that carry the cultural identity of the community.

Traditional handicrafts are the use of indigenous materials (local sources such as rattan, bamboo, and reed); the craft is passed down through many generations, unlike some forms such as sand paintings and XQ embroidery that have recently appeared and do not meet the criteria of being cultural heritage.

“The transmission shows the community value of the craft, not a craft that follows trends and is abandoned after a few years,” Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang shared. On the other hand, traditional handicrafts are unique products, and the products created are not the same as those produced by industrial production.

Clearly identify the type of heritage

At the training conference, many questions were raised by artisans about determining the type of intangible cultural heritage to prepare the dossier for awarding the title of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist.

The conference also discussed and clarified issues related to traditional crafts that have been lost, with very few practitioners and difficult to teach, such as the La Khe weaving craft in Ha Dong district. Can artisans be considered for recognition? There are heritages that have not been inventoried and identified, so can artisans of those heritages make a request for recognition?

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang said that, in addition to the general criteria, the artisans considered for the award must have exceptional talent or professional skills, representing the type of intangible cultural heritage being honored; have great contributions recognized for the cause of protecting and promoting the value of the type of intangible cultural heritage held by the individual, demonstrated in understanding, holding knowledge, secrets, and practical skills about the type of intangible cultural heritage...

“Considering the title of artisan has nothing to do with the profession being lost or the difficulty of teaching it. What is important is that the profession is still being practiced and passed on, demonstrating the maintenance and continuity of the heritage. Artisans should boldly apply. The more the profession is lost, the more it needs NNND and NNUT. Because the consideration of the award is to promote individuals, demonstrate continuity, encourage more people to be interested, continue to learn the profession, and maintain the profession” - Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang.

In addition to the above contents, at the training session, experts also requested district and county authorities to strengthen the review and actively support artisans in building and completing dossiers for considering NNND and NNUT titles, ensuring the correct, serious and effective implementation of legal regulations.

On June 24, 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 1690/QD-BVHTTDL on the Plan to consider and award the titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist in the field of intangible cultural heritage for the fourth time.

On July 4, 2024, Official Dispatch No. 2806/BVHTTDL-TCCB guiding the consideration and awarding of the titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist in the field of intangible cultural heritage for the fourth time.

On September 9, 2024, the Hanoi People's Committee issued Decision No. 4726/QD-UBND promulgating the Plan for considering and awarding the titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist in the field of intangible cultural heritage in Hanoi for the fourth time. On September 19, 2024, the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Plan and Implementation Instructions No. 681/KH-SVHTT also on the above content.

These contents have been deployed by the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to districts, towns and cities to propagate and disseminate to individuals and artisans who are practicing, teaching, protecting and promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage in the city.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/xet-tang-danh-hieu-nnnd-nnut-thuc-day-su-tiep-noi-phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-108436.html