 |
|
The craftsman Tran Neo and bronze bells. Photo H.T |
The elderly craftsmen living at traditional craft villages not only contribute to restore the vitality of the craft villages but set typical examples for next generations.
1. The trade of inlay with mother-of-pearl seemed to be ruined, but this didn’t happen thanks to some elderly craftsmen, including Tran Nhi.
“I always preserve the craft, even in the hardest time because I do believe when misfortune reaches its limit, then prosperity comes,” Nhi said.
Following in his father’s footsteps when he was 12, Nhi has become a craftsman for over 70 years. He is now 85 and his son, Tran Van Hung, is now following in his footsteps.
“When we were children, my father carefully taught us,” Hung, one of five sons, said. “We all set up a company together and it has effectively operated with 50 workers.”
2. Many craft villages in An Nhon district have well developed thanks to the elderly craftsmen’s enthusiasm and creativeness.
Tran Neo, Dang Van Anh, Nguyen Van To, and Nguyen Lang are elderly craftsmen playing a very important role in developing Bang Chau bronze casting village. They are the spearhead helping the village overcome many difficulties.
The 74-year-old Tran Neo is one of the best craftsmen. We came to his house when he was checking bronze bells he made. He said he has spent nearly 60 years making bronze products.
There have been an ever-increasing demand for bronze bells in recent years, but the making of bronze bell requires high technologies and experience, Neo added. He made different kinds of bronze bells to meet the demand and he sometimes makes bell to teach his children.
3. The southern area of Phuong Danh hamlet is famous of its trade of weaving, but there are only some households specializing in brocade weaving trade.
Two elderly craftsmen have been trying to keep the way of weaving brocade using loom. Tam Vu, one of the elderly craftsmen, said he’s followed the brocade weaving trade for more than 60 years. Not many want to learn it because it requires cautiousness.
“I’m 80 now, but I’ve still tried to maintain the craft,” he said. Another craftsman Nam Thin also has 50 years of making brocade.
Most elderly craftsmen now have one foot in the grave, but they still want to devote all energy to the traditional crafts. “I do hope the authorities focus on developing traditional craft villages and I’m always ready to work with my all-out efforts,” Nhi said.
“I want to teach all techniques of bronze casting to the young generation and hope they will respect and well develop the traditional bronze casting,” the craftsman Tran Neo said.
| 
