November 24 was chosen as Vietnamese Cultural Day with the policy of being a holiday, workers are entitled to full salary, so that people can improve their ability to enjoy culture, the team of artists and writers are encouraged to be creative, and the whole society promotes and practices a cultural and civilized lifestyle.
Choosing November 24th as Vietnamese Cultural Day is not accidental. Because this day is associated with an important event of the country, typically the first National Cultural Conference in 1946.
Accordingly, on November 24, 1946, the first National Cultural Conference was opened at the Hanoi Opera House. The event gathered more than 200 cultural activists representing the national cultural movement and representatives of the Government and the National Assembly Standing Committee.
At this conference, President Ho Chi Minh clearly pointed out: "Culture paves the way for the nation to go", emphasizing the role of culture in the cause of building, protecting and developing the country.
After 80 years, the establishment of Vietnamese Culture Day on November 24th also shows the determination of the Party and State to make culture a common value of the whole society.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son - Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Education - said that the establishment of Vietnamese Culture Day on November 24 is a symbolic decision. However, the symbol only has vitality when it becomes an energetic social institution.
To make this day not formalistic, the most important thing is to shift from the mindset of'making an event' to the mindset of'building an ecosystem', from a day of celebration to a long series of cultural actions, spreading in each family, school, community, business and even digital space," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son affirmed.
According to experts, to do this, it is necessary to solve 3 essential issues. First, it is necessary to take the right to enjoy culture of the people as the center. Vietnamese Culture Day should not just be performance programs for a number of subjects, but needs to be transformed into "a day when everyone can participate in culture".
For example, agencies and units can organize free or preferential openings of museums, historical sites, cinemas, theaters; organize book reading, exhibitions, film screenings, talk shows, art workshops in residential areas, schools, cultural houses; bring high-quality art to remote and isolated areas.
Culture must reach everyone, not just be talked about," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son emphasized.
Second, it is necessary to link Vietnamese Culture Day with cultural education programs and personality formation, especially in schools. If only performances, seminars, rallies... are organized without reaching the younger generation, it will be very difficult to last.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son, November 24 should become an opportunity for each school, each class to organize a "Vietnamese Cultural Tet": students can learn about local heritage, tell historical stories, perform folk arts, make design products based on traditional materials... to experience culture and become memories and habits of the younger generation.
Finally, in the digital age, this must be considered an opportunity to spread culture in cyberspace with modern content products: short films, podcasts, digital platforms on heritage, content creation contests about Vietnamese culture, communication campaigns honoring beautiful behaviors, beautiful behaviors. If done well, November 24th will not only be a day for theaters, but also a day when culture'goes on air' strongly, becoming a positive social trend," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son assessed.
Vietnam Culture Day must help people have more access, participate more, be more proud, and most importantly, live more culturally in daily life.
