Dong Ho folk painting expected to be revitalised
More than 20 years ago, artisan Nguyen Dang Che convinced his family members to stop making votive paper and resume their old livelihood making Dong Ho folk paintings.
A Dong Ho folk painting (Photo courtesy by the National Cultural Heritage Council) |
“There are many ways to make Dong Ho painting become popular products in the market,” said Che. “We make notebooks and postcards out of the Dong Ho painting material. These products are souvenirs for students on birthday or special occasions.”
Artisan Nguyen Dang Che (central) (Photo: VNA)
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Che’s family is one among the two families that still maintain the traditional craft while most villagers in Dong Ho village, Thuan Thanh district of the northern province of Bac Ninh, the home of Dong Ho folk painting now make votive paper.
Dong Ho paintings used to be essential decorations in Vietnamese houses during the traditional Lunar New Year festival. The paintings are not just decorative, they convey lessons about morality. However, after 500 years of existence, the making of the painting is now on the brink of oblivion because of low demand.
A step of making Dong Ho painting (Photo: VNA)
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In an effort to save Dong Ho painting from oblivion, Bac Ninh province is seeking UNESCO recognition of the genre as intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection.
The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been tasked to collaborate with related organisations to finish the dossier before it is submitted to the provincial People’s Committee for approval.
A step of making Dong Ho painting (Photo: VNA)
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According to Nguyen Thu Hien, deputy head of the Institute of Cultural Studies, with concrete strategies and action plans, Bac Ninh province can encourage more people to make Dong Ho paintings and help them sell their products.
The effort to secure UNESCO recognition is expected to have a significant impact on the preservation and promotion of Vietnamese traditional values as well as on improving communities’ awareness about the protection of such values.
Artisan Nguyen Huu Qua (Photo: VNA)
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Dong Ho’s dossier is expected to be submitted to UNESCO by 2020. Following the success of preserving Xoan folk singing, there is hope that Dong Ho painting will be revitalised.