This is a historic milestone, opening up new opportunities in the journey to preserve and promote the value of a traditional heritage that is at risk of fading away.
Reporters of Lao Dong Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Mai Son - Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Ninh Province, Head of the Working Group of Bac Ninh Province attending the UNESCO meeting held in New Delhi (India) about the process of Bac Ninh province coordinating to build and complete the nomination documents in the past time, and action programs to protect and promote the value of heritage in the new situation.
What are your feelings and thoughts when Dong Ho folk painting making has just been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage that needs urgent protection of humanity?
- For me personally as well as the members of the working group and those working in the province's culture, the event of Dong Ho folk painting making being recognized by UNESCO in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage that needs urgent protection is a great emotion and pride.
This is the result of many years of persistent efforts of the Party Committee, provincial government, specialized agencies, experts, researchers and especially the community of artists in the painting village - those who have kept the fire for heritage in the most difficult periods.
What is the significance of this event to heritage, especially to the craft community, craft villages and the cultural and economic development of Bac Ninh province today?
- First of all, the recognition affirms the outstanding global value of Dong Ho painting making not only in art, but also in folk knowledge, cultural identity and the humane message that heritage brings.
Second, UNESCO recognizes that the painting craft is facing many challenges at a time when it is facing many challenges: Lack of artists in the neighborhood, narrowing markets, craft villages affected by urbanization... Therefore, this recognition is a driving force and warning, helping to mobilize strong attention from the State, communities and the international community to preserve heritage in a more urgent, methodical and sustainable way.
More importantly, this is an opportunity for us to preserve and develop the painting profession in conjunction with tourism development, creative economy, create livelihoods for people and spread more widely the quintessence of Vietnamese culture.
Can you share about the process of Bac Ninh province coordinating to build and complete the nomination documents in the past?
- The journey to build the Dong Ho folk painting dossier on the UNESCO website is a multi-year process with the participation of Bac Ninh province, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, experts and especially the craft village community.
In terms of advantages, Dong Ho painting making is a heritage of outstanding value, continuously preserved by the community through many generations, so documents, engravings, painting models and craft stories are still quite rich. Moreover, Bac Ninh province always pays attention to and closely directs the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in proactively coordinating with research institutes, universities, and leading experts to build records, strictly complying with UNESCO standards. In particular, the artist community actively participates, provides documents and accompanies in every step of project building.
However, the process of building the nomination documents also encountered many difficulties. Because the heritage is in a state of disrepair, the inventory of artisans, inventorying repair works and restoring traditional techniques requires a lot of time and effort. Moreover, the context of rapid urbanization makes proving the continuity of the vocational practice space also a challenge.
In addition, UNESCO has strict requirements in the dossier, from scientific evidence, video evidence to immediate and long-term action plans, so it is necessary to prepare carefully and closely coordinate between many agencies and units. Despite the difficulties, this journey has helped us to have a deeper appreciation of the value of heritage and strengthen our determination to protect the Dong Ho folk painting craft in a sustainable and long-term way.
After the heritage is recognized, how will Bac Ninh province direct the implementation of the action program to protect and promote the value of Dong Ho folk painting craft in the new situation?
- Immediately after the heritage is recognized by UNESCO, Bac Ninh province will implement the Emergency Action Program to protect Dong Ho Traditional painting making in accordance with international commitments.
First of all, the province will direct specialized agencies and local authorities to coordinate with relevant units to strengthen the craft force, open classes to teach and train the next generation, and ensure long-term continuation of the profession.
Second, direct the focus on preserving practical space such as restoring some traditional households, building a creative exhibition area, improving the craft village environment and linking conservation with cultural tourism activities.
Third, direct the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to coordinate with consulting units to inventory and digitize to preserve the system of engravings and related documents, form a data bank for research, education and creativity.
Fourth, strengthen international cooperation to research and learn about good and effective models of countries around the world in preserving, promoting the value and promoting the Dong Ho folk painting heritage internationally.
Along with that, promote communication, build diverse products and experiences, connect markets so that workers have sustainable livelihoods. Most importantly, all activities will be implemented according to the principle that the community is the subject, the management agency is the supporting unit, to ensure that heritage is preserved in its true value, towards sustainable development.
How do you evaluate the role of the community, especially the younger generation, in preserving and spreading heritage? How does Bac Ninh province encourage people's participation?
- As I have just affirmed, the community is the creator, preserver and spreader of heritage values, so all conservation policies must put people at the center. During the process of building the UNESCO nomination dossier, the local community, from the elderly, artisans' families to the people of Dong Khe neighborhood, actively participated in providing documents, sharing techniques, discussing difficulties and proposing solutions to preserve the Dong Ho folk painting craft. That is a clear demonstration of the spirit of solidarity and unity of the local community in heritage conservation.
Bac Ninh province will direct the implementation of many synchronous solutions to help the community participate in heritage conservation such as: Restoring Tet painting markets, recreating traditional cultural spaces; Propagating on media, spreading the value and application of Dong Ho paintings in contemporary life; Creating conditions for artisans to participate in domestic and foreign cultural and tourism exhibitions and events; Ensuring natural resources, supporting artisans to buy scallop shells, expanding the market, promoting display, promotion, and consumption of products; Encouraging innovation, diversifying designs associated with new tastes...
Determining that the younger generation plays an important role because they are the next generation to the profession, they will strengthen heritage education in schools and organize extracurricular activities and learning activities for students in Dong Ho painting village; research and issue mechanisms and policies to encourage young people to participate in creativity, design new product models, apply painting to cultural and tourism products...
When people truly become the subject, when the younger generation is aware of their responsibility towards heritage, Dong Ho folk paintings will be long-term protected and have sustainable vitality in contemporary life.
