Preserving and promoting cultural heritage values in Xuan Hong commune

Xuan Hong Commune (Ninh Binh) was newly established on the basis of merging the old communes of Xuan Chau, Xuan Thuong, Xuan Thanh and Xuan Hong (formerly belonging to Xuan Truong district, Nam Dinh province), a land with a rich history, unique culture and heroic revolutionary tradition.

Panoramic view of Keo - Hanh Thien pagoda festival, Xuan Hong commune from above.

This place converges many valuable historical and cultural relics such as Keo - Hanh Thien Pagoda Special National Relic Site, ancient temples and pagodas such as Ngoc Tien, Hac Chau, Thuong Phuc, Dong An; Memorial House of the late General Secretary Truong Chinh and many unique Catholic architectural works... All create a vibrant cultural space, rich in identity, contributing significantly to the socio -economic development and construction of advanced, exemplary new rural areas of the locality.

Inspired by cultural and revolutionary traditions

Inheriting tradition, the Party Committee and People of Xuan Hong commune always uphold the spirit of solidarity, overcome difficulties, and strive for comprehensive development. In particular, the work of preserving and promoting traditional cultural values is considered one of the key and regular tasks, a great spiritual motivation in the journey of building a rich and beautiful homeland.

Implementing the Central Resolutions on Culture and the Law on Cultural Heritage, the situation in Xuan Hong commune has had many positive changes. Cultural relics and works have been inventoried, classified, restored and embellished appropriately. Comrade Hoang Thi Minh Thu, Head of the Department of Culture and Society of Xuan Hong commune, said: “In the commune, there are still many relics, religious works, ancestral temples... bearing bold traditional architecture, with unique cultural and historical values. Preservation is not only to preserve the architectural and artistic values of the works but also to educate revolutionary traditions, foster patriotism and personality for the younger generation”.

Among them, Keo - Hanh Thien Pagoda is one of the typical heritages of Xuan Hong land. This is a large-scale architectural complex, built from the 17th - 18th centuries, bearing the style of the Later Le Dynasty. With its elaborately carved ironwood structure and unique artistic sculptures, the pagoda is not only a place for religious and spiritual activities but also a vivid testament to the aesthetic level and pinnacle of construction techniques of our ancestors.

In addition to its physical architecture, Keo Pagoda also preserves a treasure trove of valuable intangible cultural heritage, such as the Han Nom system of inscriptions (steles, royal decrees, sacred stories, etc.), the legend of the Holy Ancestor Duong Khong Lo, and unique traditional festivals held annually. The Spring Festival takes place in January (at Keo Trong Pagoda) and February (at Keo Ngoai Pagoda) with rituals such as palanquin procession, elder feast, rice cooking contest, etc. The Autumn Festival, held in the middle of the ninth lunar month, is the biggest festival of the year, commemorating the birthday of the Holy Ancestor, attracting a large number of tourists and Buddhists to attend.

The festival is not only an occasion for the community to pay tribute to their ancestors but also contributes to arousing profound human values, creating a unique cultural and tourist highlight for the locality. Activities such as rowing, water puppetry, swimming, temple dressing, flag raising, lantern procession, making sticky rice cakes, cockfighting, etc. are organized elaborately and systematically, imbued with the colors of the folk culture of the Northern Delta.

Culture - Endogenous driving force in homeland development

River boat racing at Keo Pagoda festival, Hanh Thien village, Xuan Hong commune.

As a land of culture, Xuan Hong commune also preserves and develops many village festivals, clan festivals... which are both elements of folk beliefs and unique forms of community cultural activities. Folk games such as wrestling, rice cooking contests, vegetarian cooking contests, rowing... not only create a joyful atmosphere but also vividly reflect the customs, habits, and outlook on life of local people.

Comrade Nguyen Van Ke, Vice Chairman of Xuan Hong Commune People's Committee, emphasized: “Preserving and promoting cultural heritage values is not only a responsibility but also a source of pride. This is an important spiritual resource that contributes to educating the tradition of patriotism, diligence, creativity, and arousing the will to rise up in each citizen. These values have become a solid foundation to promote sustainable development of Xuan Hong Commune, building a creative government, close to the people, serving the people”.

Reality shows that the rural appearance of Xuan Hong is increasingly changing towards civilization and modernity. Infrastructure is invested synchronously; the material and spiritual life of the people is constantly improved. The movement to build cultural life in residential areas associated with building a new model rural area is effectively implemented, contributing to making Xuan Hong increasingly a livable countryside.

Besides the outstanding results, the work of preserving cultural heritage in Xuan Hong still faces some difficulties. The commercialization of festival organization sometimes appears in some places; some traditional rituals are simplified; propaganda and promotion of heritage are still limited; the exploitation of cultural tourism potential is not commensurate with the existing heritage value...

Therefore, in the coming time, Xuan Hong commune will continue to do a good job in planning, inventorying, and making scientific records of cultural heritages; strengthen the leadership of the Party Committee and State management in preserving and promoting heritages. At the same time, focus on raising awareness among the community about the role of cultural heritages in modern life. The integration of conservation with the development of cultural and spiritual tourism will also be implemented synchronously, creating momentum for sustainable economic development.

The 13th National Party Congress documents clearly stated: “Preserving and promoting cultural values and the strength of the Vietnamese people in the cause of national construction and defense, and international integration” is a key task, and at the same time an endogenous driving force for sustainable development. In Xuan Hong commune, traditional cultural values are not only preserved in the relics but also deeply ingrained in the lifestyle and thinking of the people, becoming a valuable spiritual foundation for each native to always turn to their roots, stay attached to and contribute to their homeland.

With high political determination, the participation of the entire political system and the consensus of the people, Xuan Hong is gradually affirming its position as a land of culture and revolution, a place where the quintessence of national culture converges, worthy of being a cultural and historical destination, contributing to the overall development of Ninh Binh province and the whole country.

Article and photos: Hoang Tuan

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/bao-ton-va-phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-van-hoa-tai-xa-xuan-hong-614661.htm