Thanh Hoa province, "leaves its mark from a thousand years ago"...

Thanh Hoa province – where nature and culture blend in a symphony of time, celebrating a land of beauty, the stage for great heroic epics!

The art program "Lam Son Spirit - Shining Forever" was elaborately staged, recreating a glorious period in the nation's history. Photo: Le Hoi

When attempting to understand this land, many historians, poets, and scholars of the past, as well as numerous researchers of history and culture today, have bestowed upon Thanh Hoa a special affection and countless effusive praises. C. Robequain, with the keen eye of a scientist and a passionate cultural researcher, offered a fascinating observation, encompassing multiple layers of meaning: “This is not merely an administrative unit, but an entire region—a harmonious collection of hills rising into mountains around the delta; a truly vibrant and diverse unit, through which, rather than the effect of chance, the manifestation of profound laws is revealed.” The single word “Region” alone is capable of defining the position and characteristics of this land, as well as affirming the unique cultural value of Thanh Hoa, which is both distinct and harmonious within the flow of national culture for thousands of years.

Thanh Hoa is an ancient land. With its long history, this land can be likened to a "miniature chronicle" of the historical and cultural development of Vietnam. From the dawn of humankind, Thanh Hoa boasts the Nui Do site – where humans first set foot on their journey to conquer nature. Then, after millennia of struggle for survival, the Con Moong cave appeared, and this site is considered an "archaeological museum" preserving "the first seeds of human talent and creativity." And, from those caves, our ancestors took a long and arduous step, shedding countless sweat and blood to reclaim and transform the barren land into the fertile Ma River delta. From this cradle, one of the most brilliant cultures, the most representative of Dai Viet civilization, was born: the Dong Son culture.

It can be affirmed that, from the dawn of the nation's history to the time when the country took shape as a tapestry of beauty, Thanh Hoa province has always held a special place: a land of intersection and convergence. This land is both resilient like its rivers and mountains, yet gentle like the waves of the East Sea caressing the shore for millennia. However, to speak of Thanh Hoa as a unique existence in the flow of national history, it must be emphasized that this is a "chosen land"—the place where relentless struggles for the fate or survival of the nation took place. Because, not only does it possess a strategically important location, it is also a "land where emperors gathered," the birthplace of two dynasties of kings and three lords, with the most prosperous dynasties that left their "golden seal" on the course of history, even "shaping" the course of the nation's history. Moreover, this is also the homeland of national heroes, renowned generals, historians, poets, and even ordinary people who were no less talented, whose names have become ingrained in the landscape, bringing glory to the nation.

From majestic mountains to boundless seas, every corner of this land boasts breathtaking scenery. From prosperous villages to bustling cities, cultural treasures are present everywhere, reflecting the rich traditions nurtured and passed down from ancient times. These include temples, pavilions, shrines, and pagodas that have stood for centuries, each a unique historical record. They also hold a treasure trove of festivals, customs, folk beliefs, and performing arts, refined through the vicissitudes of time and history, crystallizing into shimmering layers of culture. These cultural values ​​have contributed to shaping the rich, diverse, valuable, and distinctive cultural landscape of Thanh Hoa province.

Ultimately, to speak of a culture is to speak of its identity. And speaking of cultural identity is speaking of the most fundamental values, reflecting the height and depth of a culture's value. Cultural identity is the crystallization of values ​​considered the essence, outstanding, and distinctive of a culture, thus acting as an "identifier" to distinguish the cultures of different peoples and nations. For Vietnam in general, and Thanh Hoa in particular, culture has been nurtured and cultivated over a long history, with countless changes. Therefore, the height and depth of that culture are not only reflected in a vast treasure trove of relics and heritage, but also in the most fundamental qualities that have shaped the national character: patriotism, national spirit, community, compassion, adaptability, and harmony between the social and natural environments.

One scholar made an interesting observation: Thanh Hoa is a land "rich in memories of a glorious and legendary past." This is the history of the land's formation, a history that, whenever mentioned, evokes the echoes of swords clashing, war drums beating, and the thundering hooves of horses from wars against foreign invaders and territorial expansion. It is also the history of the formation of Thanh Hoa's culture, forged through countless "long marches" against and conquering nature, expanding its living space. As a result, the history and culture of this land have become ingrained in the soul and shaped the character and essence of the people of Thanh Hoa.

Because each individual needs to be connected to a historical and cultural origin, through which they are "given" an identity to be proud of, an "anchor" for their soul. Therefore, if we liken culture to a form of "sediment" of national sentiment and consciousness, then that culture will always reside in the hearts and souls of the people. In turn, each citizen of Thanh Hoa plays the role of a cultural ambassador, a recipient, creator, keeper, and keeper of the flame of traditional culture for the future.

Khoi Nguyen

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/xu-thanh-nghin-xua-luu-dau-276788.htm