Convergence and dissemination of the cultural quintessence of very few ethnic groups

[VOV2] - For the first time, 14 ethnic groups with very few people (less than 10,000 people) living from Ngoc Linh mountain, Truong Son range to the majestic Hoang Lien Son range gathered in Lai Chau province to perform, introduce and spread the cultural quintessence of their ethnic groups.

On the evening of November 3, at the People's Square of Lai Chau province, the opening ceremony of the "Cultural Festival of Ethnic Groups with a population of less than 10,000 people" officially took place with an art program with the theme "Cultural Colors - Convergence and Spread".

Each ethnic group brings to the festival special performances.

The event was attended by Comrade Le Hoai Trung - Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central External Relations Commission; Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; representatives of leaders of Central Committees, Ministries and Branches, leaders of 11 localities with 14 ethnic minorities living there, namely Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Lao Cai , Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Son La, Nghe An and Kon Tum, along with the participation of 600 professional actors, ethnic artists and extras who are students in the area, along with thousands of local people and tourists. In particular, the event was also attended by delegates from Yunnan province, China and 3 provinces of Laos.

The art program “Cultural Colors – Convergence and Spread” is one of the highlights of the festival with the theme “Preserving, promoting and spreading the traditional cultural identity of ethnic minorities”.

14 ethnic groups with very few people come together and spread the cultural quintessence of their people.

Currently, among the 54 ethnic groups, there are 14 ethnic groups with a population of less than 10,000 people, considered to be very small ethnic groups, including the O Du, Brau, Ro Mam, Pu Peo, Si La, Cong, Bo Y, Co Lao, Mang, Lo Lo, Chut, Lu, Pa Then and Ngai ethnic groups. These ethnic groups mainly live in 11 provinces: Lai Chau, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Dien Bien, Ha Giang , Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Son La, Nghe An, and Kon Tum. In Lai Chau, there are 20 ethnic groups living together, of which 5 are very small ethnic groups: Cong, Mang, Si La, Lu, and Co Lao.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy emphasized: “The traditional culture of ethnic minorities is a valuable heritage. It is not only the property of a single land, people or locality, but also a priceless asset of the nation, contributing to the richness, diversity and unity of Vietnamese culture. Traditional cultural values have been and are being jointly built and consolidated by the Party, the State, the entire political system and ethnic minorities. These are progressive and humane values that combine tradition with modernity, absorbing the quintessence of human culture, contributing to an advanced culture, imbued with national identity, developing harmoniously in the context of increasingly deep integration. Preserving the traditional cultural identity of ethnic minorities is a political, socio-economic task of special importance in the construction and development of the country”.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy presented souvenir flags to delegations participating in the first Ethnic Cultural Festival of less than 10,000 people.

The Cultural Festival of ethnic groups with a population of less than 10,000 people with the theme "Preserving, promoting and disseminating the traditional cultural identity of ethnic groups with very small populations" was held for the first time to implement the policy of solidarity and equality among ethnic groups. At the same time, honoring and promoting the value of the identity of ethnic minorities, contributing to educating the younger generation to respect national consciousness and be aware of protecting traditional culture. This is also an opportunity to spread and promote the traditional cultural identity of ethnic minorities, especially ethnic groups with a population of less than 10,000 people to domestic and international friends; contributing to raising the awareness and responsibility of all levels, departments, ministries, branches and all classes of people in the work of preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the community of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam; contributing to building an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity, meeting the requirements of sustainable national development according to Resolution No. 33-NQ/TW, Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party and the National Cultural Conference in 2021.

Along with folk songs and dances, the people also performed traditional costumes of their ethnic group.

Comrade Le Van Luong, Chairman of Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee expressed his excitement when Lai Chau province was chosen to host this first meaningful festival: “This is a political and cultural event of great importance to ethnic groups with less than 10,000 citizens. We are deeply aware that this is a precious opportunity for us to witness the groups performing the most unique and special cultural performances, exchanging experiences, learning, in order to strengthen the great national unity bloc, honoring and promoting the core values of the fine traditional culture of ethnic groups with very few people from 11 provinces across the country. This is also an opportunity to raise awareness and responsibility of all levels, sectors, and ethnic groups in preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the community of 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups”.

Coming to Lai Chau on this occasion, along with enjoying the famous scenic spots in "Lai Chau Tourism - Culture Week 2023", people and tourists will be immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of the cultural festival of ethnic minorities, participating in many cultural and sports activities rich in identity, admiring the beauty of traditional costumes, enjoying elaborate art performances; immersing themselves in the festival space associated with the spiritual life and beliefs of ethnic minorities through the skillful and talented performances of artisans in rituals; participating in sports and folk games, experiencing and participating in many meaningful activities.

Before the opening ceremony, within the framework of the festival activities, there was also a meeting to honor and commend outstanding artisans who have made many contributions to the work of preserving and transmitting the traditional culture of the 14 ethnic groups participating in the festival.

At the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism expressed his gratitude for the contributions of artisans in preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of ethnic groups. “Whether traditional cultural values are passed on and preserved or not depends on the experiences and efforts of artisans. I hope that artisans will continue to share their experiences in preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of ethnic groups in general, and ethnic groups with very few people in particular; the transmission and preservation to the younger generation and forever...” - the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy and Vice Chairman of Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee Tong Thanh Hai presented gifts to thank artisans who have made many contributions to preserving and promoting the traditional culture of ethnic minorities with very small populations.

Speaking at the meeting, the outstanding artisans all hoped that the Party and State would continue to pay attention, create conditions and an environment for ethnic groups across the country to exchange and learn from each other's experiences, create opportunities for ethnic groups, especially ethnic groups with very few people, to continue to promote and preserve their traditional cultural values and pass on traditional cultural values to the next generation, and strengthen the solidarity of the community of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam...

Artisan Hu Co Xuan, Si La ethnic group, Kan Ho commune, Muong Te district, Lai Chau province shared his experience at the meeting.

With many activities rich in identity, the "First Cultural Festival of Ethnic Groups under 10,000 People" has truly created a vivid, colorful but equally delicate and diverse picture of the whole cultural life of ethnic groups with a population of less than 10,000 people. The festival also creates a source of inspiration for artisans, actors, and athletes who are attached to and passionate about folk arts and traditional sports; is a motivation for people to continue to spread this spirit in their daily work, production, and living in the community, so that the traditional culture of ethnic groups in general, and ethnic minorities with very few people in particular, will forever exist, creating the motivation to realize the aspiration to develop a prosperous and happy country.

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