UNESCO recently recognized the art of Bài Chòi in Central Viet Nam as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Khanh Hoa is one of the nine localities taking part in setting up the nomination file of Bài Chòi.
UNESCO recently recognized the art of Bài Chòi in Central Viet Nam as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Khanh Hoa is one of the nine localities taking part in setting up the nomination file of Bài Chòi.
According to Le Van Hoa, Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Culture and Sports, the nomination file of Bài Chòi meets the criteria of UNESCO to be inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The file provides clear and detailed efforts of Vietnam to safeguard the practicing of Bài Chòi as well as to assist Bài Chòi artists, clubs, and groups.
Khanh Hoa is also a locality which has effectively contributed to uphold Bài Chòi and played an important role in helping Bài Chòi to be recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. “Through the inscription of Bài Chòi on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, UNESCO recognized the rich and diverse cultural characters of Vietnam. This recognition also means commitment of Vietnam to preserving and upholding the cultural values of the humanity in general and Bài Chòi in particular,” Hoa added.
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In recent years, Khanh Hoa has made numerous efforts to uphold the art of Bài Chòi. In late 2015, the provincial People’s Committee approved the scheme to preserve and promote Bài Chòi in Khanh Hoa. The provincial Department of Culture and Sports carried out surveys, statistics, and assessment of Bài Chòi practicing in the province. The department also held a provincial level scientific seminar on preserving and upholding Bài Chòi in Khanh Hoa for the 2016-2020 period. Additionally, Bài Chòi has also been incorporated into the public music programs as a step towards the goal of organizing Khanh Hoa’s festival of Bài Chòi art from. The provincial culture sector associated with other units to make documentary films about Bài Chòi to introduce this traditional art form to the public.
Since 2013, the provincial Center of Culture (under the provincial Department of Culture and Sports) has held Bài Chòi festival regularly at the beach park which has been interested by many locals and tourists. Besides, the center coordinated with the education sector to hold Bài Chòi programs at the schools, helping the teachers and pupils to learn more about the formation and development of Bài Chòi, way of playing Bài Chòi, etc.
As planned, the title receiving ceremony will be held in Binh Dinh Province in early 2018. Nine provinces and cities in the Central will submit the plan for safeguarding Bài Chòi to the Prime Minister. Being recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a great honor and also a great responsibility for Vietnam to ensure a harmonious combination of preserving and promoting the values of Bài Chòi.
As stated by Hoa, the culture sector of Khanh Hoa plans to cooperate with the localities to form more Bài Chòi clubs and encourage the localities to hold Bài Chòi programs on the occasions of festivals and Lunar New Year, etc.
Xuan Thanh
Translated by H.N
The art of Bài Chòi in Central Vietnam has been practicing in nine provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, and Khanh Hoa. This is a diverse art combining music, poetry, acting, and painting. It has two main forms: “Bài Chòi game” and “Bài Chòi performance”. The bearers and practitioners of Bài Chòi are “Hiệu” (game leader), solo Bài Chòi performers, and card-making artisans.
