The Da Nang Folk Arts Association is making every effort to collect folk art works and conduct scientific research into folk culture in order to preserve and promote the folklore values of the city, and the country as a whole.

Members of the Da Nang Folk Arts Association met with some of the Co Tu ethnic group in Tay Giang District, Quang Nam Province during their field trip there in April 2021. Photo: P.V

The Da Folk Arts Association which was established in 2002, is voluntary association of people who work together to promote the folklore values of the city. Over recent years, the association members have actively collected folk art works, and published hundreds of their studies in such fields as literature, folk arts and architecture, beliefs, customs, traditions and traditional festivals.

Their published books have been highly praised by cultural experts, and they have been widely accepted by the general public. Included are traditions and folklore in the Quang Land published in 2010, the Da Nang Communal House in 2012, the Da Nang Coastal Folklore in 2018, the conservation of Co Tu Folklore in Hoa Vang District in 2019, the Da Nang Folklore from 2008 to the Present.  Besides, in its efforts educate the younger generation on local folklore, the association has worked with the cultural and educational sectors to teach some folk songs in the Zone 5, Bai choi singing, a popular folklore style of singing in central Viet Nam that was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in late 2017, and the Quang folklore in schools.

The general work of the Da Nang Folklore Association was profoundly during 2021 affected by the global virus pandemic but all the plans set the Association were basically completed. In April 2021, the association conducted a field trip for its members to Tay Giang District, Quang Nam Province with the aim of learning more about the folklore of the Co Tu ethnic group there. As a result, they have completed their 8 studies about the Co Tu folklore. Till date, the association has also completed contents of its special issue entitled "the Da Nang Folklore" to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year of Tiger. The special issue features a collection of new studies by the association members that carried out during the year and it is annually published to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Outstanding among published books by the association members is "219 folk games for preschoolers" compiled by musician Trinh Tuan Khanh.

Musician Trinh Tuan Khanh said technology seems to have a dark shadow behind its benefits, and the children are one of the most players in video game industry, including violent games, as a result, its effect on the behavior of children cannot be ignored. The effects of the video games among children have, therefore, attracted concerns among the parents, medical professionals, educators, and society.

Musician Trinh Tuan Khanh highlighted the significance of traditional games in stimulating the growth of children, physically as well as intellectually. They can also find enjoyment with their parents and in the street, with their friends, playing folk games that have entertained so many previous generations.

Children will always continue to enjoy games from the past, as long as they learn to play them. These games can also be of great benefit to them, they require physical activity, social skills, creativity, imagination, competition, camaraderie… and many more benefits.

In its efforts to celebrate its 20^th birthday and the 25^th anniversary of Da Nang’s recognition as a centrally-governed city on January 1, 1997, the Association has completed its anthology entitled "25 years of researching into Da Nang’s folklore and its culture".

Da Nang Folk Arts Association Chairwoman Dinh Thi Huu said that the anthology featured 70 selected articles from the association members and researchers across Da Nang. This is an academic anthology of the association to celebrate the 25-year journey of researching into folklore and culture of Da Nang - Quang Nam.

Mrs Huu unveiled that in 2022, the association plans to conduct more field trips for its members to Nam Giang District, Quang Nam Province, or mountainous districts of Quang Nam - Da Nang to learn more about the culture of the ethnic groups. In addition, special attention will be given to conducting more studies on Da Nang’s folklore.

Greater efforts will be made to transform Da Nang’s cultural heritage assets into tourism products in a bid to promote Da Nang as an attractive destination for domestic and international visitors.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG – translating by H.L