The value of gong culture, a distinctive feature of the Central
Highlands and a piece of world intangible cultural heritage, is
vividly cherished through a festival kicked off in the regional province
of Lam Dong on April 24.
The festival brought together more
than 500 gong artisans from ethnic minority groups across the province
in performances that enhanced solidarity and especially celebrated the
40 th anniversary of Da Lat-Lam Dong Liberation as well as Southern
Liberation and National Unification.
In her opening remark,
Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Nguyen Thi Nguyen highlighted that the event is part of tireless efforts
the community has made to preserve and develop the space of Gong
culture.
On this occasion, 24 patriarchs and artisans were granted with cultural gong artisan title.
The festival is scheduled to embrace a wide range of activities such as folk games and gong culture competition.
The Central Highlands region, which comprises the five provinces of
Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Gia Lai and Kon Tum, is home to stunning
mythical landscapes and a significant population of diverse ethnic
minorities and cultures.
Especially, the
space of gong culture was recognised by UNESCO on November 25, 2005 as
an oral-transmitted masterpiece and intangible cultural heritage of the
humanity .
It is believed that behind every gong hides a
god or goddess who is all the more powerful when the gong is older.
Every family possesses at least one gong, which indicates the family’s
wealth, authority and prestige and also ensures its protection.-VNA