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A performance of Binh Dinh bai choi club's artists. Photo V.T |
Vietnam Folklore Association granted the "folk-artist" title to six artists in Binh Dinh. This is an honor for their contributions to the preservation of traditional cultural values. The major issue, however, is that these "living human treasures" need more concerns.
Preserve folk values
Vietnam Folklore Association in 2002 approved the regulations on acknowledging the "folk-artist" title to artists in four fields, including the culture of life activities, customs, spirit, and aesthetic. Under the regulations, acknowledged artists are those who well know values, skills, and secrets of folklore. Also, they must be taught by generations in a family or clan.
Vietnam Folklore Association recently granted the "folk-artist" title to six artists in Binh Dinh, including Bok Doang, Dinh Thi H'Len, Le Thi Dao, Nguyen Thi Duc, Ho Ngoc Tung, and Nguyen Thi Minh Lieu.
"The acknowledgement of the folk-artist title has been carried out for several years. This is, however, the first time six artists in Binh Dinh nominated. This is an honor because there have been only 100 folk-artists nationwide. Vietnam Folklore Association will hold a ceremony to grant the certificates and campaign medals to six folk-artists," said Nguyen Xuan Nhan, head of Vietnam Folklore Association's branch in Binh Dinh.
How are "living human treasures"?
Only when learning about the lives of newly-acknowledged folk-artists can we realize that they need more concerns and their knowledge of folk culture needs to be effectively explored.
Four out of six folk-artists are members of Binh Dinh bai choi (bai choi sung drama) club but its operation is mainly self-financing. Some bai choi's artists still have to earn their living by performing tuong (classical drama).
Other folk-artists are all over 70 and 80. It's, therefore, necessary to soon have a plan to preserve cultural treasures by recording. Also, contributions of folk-artists must be worthily rewarded.
While works on literature and art and studies on traditional culture are encouraged and supported, there haven't got any supporting policies for "living human treasures" in Binh Dinh.
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