At the workshop (Source: VNA) GiaLai (VNA) - A workshop discussing ways to preserve and uphold thevalue of Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) gong culture was held in Gia Laiprovince on December 1.
Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the event was part ofactivities of the ongoing Tay Nguyen GongCulture Festival 2018.
Scientists analysed and assessed difficulties and challenges as well as proposedsolutions to preserve and promote cultural values of the art genre.
Prof. Dr. To Ngoc Thanh from the Vietnam Folklore Arts Association affirmedthat a number of measures have been taken by the regional localities toconserve and uphold the value of gong culture, focusing on inventorying the numberof musical instruments and artisans.
He underlined the need to enhance the practice of the genre togetherwith efforts to preserve, saying that the practice should be sustained andtransmitted to young people in a systematic and comprehensive manner.
According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chi Ben from the VietnamNational Institute of Culture and Arts Studies, changes in the form of agriculturalproduction pose challenges to the gong practice.
He suggested implementing a specific project to preserve Tay Nguyen gongculture, towards sustainable preservation of the art genre.
Inthe framework of the festival, a folk art performance programme was held inPleiku city of Gia Lai province on the same day, attracting over 500 artisans from19 art troupes from the five Central Highlands provinces of Kon Tum, Dak Lak,Dak Nong, Lam Dong and Gia Lai.
The event featured many unique performances, such as folk singing of J’raipeople and epic performances of Bahnar people, among others.
Main activities during the Tay Nguyen Gong Culture Festival 2018 from November30-December 2 include traditional rituals, folk woodsculpture, brocade weaving, epic recitals, photo and document exhibitions, andconferences on the preservation and promotion of gong culture legacy of ethnicraces in the region, among others.
The Cultural Space of Gong of Tay Nguyen was recognised bythe UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of the humanityin 2005. It is closely linked to the daily life of local people. Their beliefsystems form a mystical world where the gongs produce a privileged languagebetween men, divinities and the supernatural world.
Currently, Tay Nguyen has more than 10,000 setsof gongs, over half of which are kept in Gia Lai province.-VNA
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