Bai choi 'awakens' on pottery

In the 500-year-old craft village in Quang Nam, the quintessence of ancient ceramics is being revived through the hands of young people. They are breathing new life into Thanh Ha handmade ceramic products into works of art.

Inside the family's traditional pottery production facility in Nam Dieu block, Thanh Ha ward (Hoi An city, Quang Nam ), while Mr. Le Van Nhat (37 years old) meticulously drew each stroke on the pottery work, his wife excitedly introduced the unique products to the group of foreign tourists. These are to he figurines, cups printed with lanterns, lotus flowers, Cau Pagoda, Hoi An town..., especially the Bai Choi card jewelry set. Recognized as a typical rural industrial product of Hoi An city last year, the Bai Choi card jewelry set is a vivid testament to the endless creativity of the young generation of the pottery village.

Outstanding works created by young artisans in Thanh Ha pottery village

Photo: Manh Cuong

In 2017, when the art of Bài Chòi was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, Mr. Nhật and his wife intended to make Bài Chòi card jewelry products. But it was not until 2024 that they began experimenting and were fortunate to be loved and welcomed by customers.

Mr. Le Van Nhat creates a snake mascot

Photo: Manh Cuong

Mr. Le Van Nhat creates a snake mascot

Photo: Manh Cuong

This jewelry set is not only an eye-catching item but also a cultural story told in ceramic, carrying the mission of promoting the meaning, gameplay and artistic beauty of a world heritage folk game to visitors.

Mr. Le Van Nhat (Hoi An City, Quang Nam)

"This jewelry set is not only an eye-catching item but also a cultural story told in ceramics, carrying the mission of promoting the meaning, gameplay and artistic beauty of a world heritage folk game to tourists," said Mr. Nhat.

It is not simply a product sold, but also a way to spread cultural values, turning each piece of pottery into a "cultural ambassador". The vases are inspired by many ancient houses in Hoi An with their characteristic yin-yang tiled roofs and are displayed solemnly by Mr. Nhat. "The products created from the ancient pottery village of Thanh Ha are not only decorative items but also a piece of memory, a part of the soul of Hoi An encapsulated in pottery", Mr. Nhat confided.

The cards were created from ceramic by Mr. Le Van Nhat.

Photo: Manh Cuong

The cards were created from ceramic by Mr. Le Van Nhat.

Photo: Manh Cuong

Mr. Nguyen Van Lanh, Vice Chairman of Hoi An City People's Committee, affirmed that the young people in Thanh Ha pottery village are an important factor in promoting and introducing the traditional art of pottery to domestic and foreign tourists. The young artisans have constantly innovated to create new and unique products, blending with the beauty of ancient culture.

Artisan Nguyen Viet Lam meticulously "makes up" ceramic products

Photo: Manh Cuong

Artisan Nguyen Viet Lam meticulously "makes up" ceramic products

Photo: Manh Cuong

When young people return to their craft villages and nurture their passion for pottery, they are not only inheritors but also creators. They bring the vitality and unique beauty of the land and people of Hoi An in particular and the culture of Quang Nam in general into their handicrafts. "The city will further promote creative talent in the community. The government will create an environment and opportunities to restore and develop new glaze lines as well as the precious traditional values ​​of Hoi An City," said Mr. Lanh.

Revival of Thanh Ha ceramics

Nguyen Viet Lam, 28 years old, owner of Son Thuy pottery production facility in Thanh Ha pottery village (Hoi An city), has successfully restored the technique of making glazed pottery, one of the three main product lines of Thanh Ha pottery (along with red pottery and terracotta pottery). Nguyen Viet Lam is the 6th generation to continue the family pottery profession. He always researches, improves designs and learns from the experiences of other pottery villages across the country with his father.

In 2016, when the city government created conditions for him to visit Japan and learn about the famous ceramic production model of the land of cherry blossoms, Nguyen Viet Lam found a suitable formula to create the glaze for ceramic products similar to what the ancients of Thanh Ha village used to do. This is considered an important breakthrough, helping to "revive" the Thanh Ha ceramic line. The products created by Nguyen Viet Lam and his wife always retain the ancient beauty of Thanh Ha ceramics, only improving the design and quality of the ceramic glaze, supplying the domestic market and exporting abroad.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bai-choi-thuc-giac-tren-gom-18525061720551297.htm