With the theme "Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts - Radiant Essence", the 9th Vietnam International Traditional Martial Arts Festival will take place from May 2 - 8 in Quy Nhon ward and some communes and wards in Gia Lai province.
The event gathered 15 international delegations with 241 martial artists and students from France, Switzerland, Germany, Burkina Faso, Thailand, Morocco, Italy, Russia and China.
Domestically, there are 11 delegations with 167 members; 11 clubs/martial arts schools of Gia Lai with 219 people. In addition, the National Traditional Martial Arts Clubs Championship attracts 32 delegations, with about 750 heads of delegations, coaches and athletes participating.
According to the organizers, Vietnamese traditional martial arts were formed and developed along with the thousands of years of national construction and defense history of the nation, which is the crystallization of the experience of fighting to protect and build the country of our ancestors.
Over many centuries, Vietnamese traditional martial arts has become a precious cultural heritage of the nation, spreading strongly and being preserved and developed in many countries around the world.
Gia Lai is the cradle of Vietnamese traditional martial arts. The Tay Son period was the period when traditional martial arts developed most brilliantly, associated with the Tay Son peasant movement and the glorious feats of national hero Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue.
Through many generations, traditional martial arts have been constantly inherited, selected and developed, becoming a unique cultural value, deeply ingrained in the spiritual life of local people.
Mr. Bui Trung Hieu - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province - said that in 2012, Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Currently, the dossier of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts in general and Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts in particular has been submitted to UNESCO for consideration and recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is expected that the dossier of Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts will be considered by UNESCO in 2027.
At the press conference, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich - Vice Chairwoman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee - informed that the locality is recruiting a team of volunteers with foreign language proficiency and cultural understanding to support international delegations.
In addition to the translation task, this force will connect cultural exchanges, and at the same time coordinate with martial arts masters and martial arts students in the area to ensure thoughtful reception and accompanying delegations throughout the event. The province also develops appropriate support policies so that volunteers can feel secure in participating in service.
According to Ms. Lich, Gia Lai is building a friendly and hospitable local image. The province has coordinated with restaurants, hotels and households to implement a free toilet model to serve tourists. Points with the logo "Comfortable as at home" will open to serve the hygiene needs of people and tourists during the event.
