Ministry of Culture requests to rectify the distorted spirit medium activities in Bac Ninh

According to the official dispatch of the Department of Cultural Heritage, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Bac Ninh province coordinated with the People's Committee of Yen Phong district to organize the 2nd Bac Ninh Province Hat Van and Hat Chau Van Festival - 2024 at Ly Thuong Kiet Temple, Tam Giang Commune, Yen Phong District from October 24-25.

Through actual inspection, the name of the activity is Hat Van and Hat Chau Van Festival, but the content of the activity taking place on the evening of October 24, 2024 is the performance of the practice of the worship of the Mother Goddess of the Three Realms on stage by a number of artisans and excellent artisans inside and outside the province (artisans Nguyen Tran Tuan Anh, Tran Thi Chung, Dao Dinh Hoc - Bac Ninh , Excellent Artisan Nguyen Van Duoc - Hung Yen...).

The 2nd Hat Van and Chau Van Festival of Bac Ninh Province. Photo: Bac Ninh Newspaper

The Department of Cultural Heritage believes that this is a performance of spirit mediumship that is not true to the nature and practice space of the Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worshiping Heritage; violates customs, taboos and distorts the value of intangible cultural heritage, is not in accordance with the spirit of the 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO and the Law on Cultural Heritage of Vietnam, and violates Decree No. 39/2024/ND-CP stipulating measures to manage, protect and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage in the UNESCO Lists and the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Specifically, in terms of principles in practicing intangible cultural heritage: “The subject community must ensure the continuity in practicing intangible cultural heritage in accordance with the value, nature and function of the heritage; reduce the risk of fading and loss; Ensure the preservation of the value of the heritage with related forms of expression, knowledge, skills, techniques and practice spaces; Do not introduce inappropriate elements into the heritage; Do not disseminate and practice incorrect content of the heritage; Ensure respect and protection of religious values, beliefs, customs, sacredness of rituals and practice spaces of intangible cultural heritage” (Points a, b, d, e, Clause 1, Article 4).

Regarding the principles in using and exploiting intangible cultural heritage outside of practical activities: "Do not interfere, change, or distort customs, beliefs, sacredness, taboos, or secrets in practicing intangible cultural heritage" (Clause 4, Article 5).

The Department of Cultural Heritage said that on April 16, 2024, the Government issued Decree No. 39/2024/ND-CP stipulating measures to manage, protect and promote the values ​​of intangible cultural heritage in the UNESCO Lists and the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (hereinafter referred to as Decree 39/2024/ND-CP).

Regarding the rectification of incorrect activities in protecting and promoting the value of the Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worshiping Heritage, a heritage that has been inscribed by UNESCO in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2026, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has continuously issued guiding documents such as: Official Dispatch No. 618/BVHTTDL-DSVH dated February 12, 2018 to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism/ Department of Culture and Sports of centrally-run provinces and cities on rectifying Hau Dong activities in practicing the Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worshiping Heritage; No. 2973/BVHTTDL-DSVH dated July 21, 2023 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on strengthening the management, protection and promotion of the value of intangible cultural heritage.

Vietnam is preparing a National Periodic Report to submit to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003, to be submitted on December 15, 2024. (Bac Ninh has also participated in the Report Preparation Training organized by the Department of Cultural Heritage on October 17-18, 2024 in Hung Yen).

Serious violations of the 2003 Convention and the Ethical Principles for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO as above, if shown in the National Report, may be reminded by UNESCO, even considered, and have the title withdrawn, and will affect the heritage subject community in more than 22 provinces and cities of Vietnam, especially affecting the prestige and reputation of Vietnam as a Member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention of UNESCO for the term 2022-2026.

The Department of Cultural Heritage requested the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province to immediately rectify the illegal Hau Dong activities in the area, comply with the directives of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, ensure strict implementation of Articles 4 and 5 of Decree No. 39/2024/ND-CP stipulating principles in practicing, managing, protecting and promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage; report the results of handling to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (through the Department of Cultural Heritage) before November 1.

Source: https://vov.vn/van-hoa/di-san/bo-van-hoa-yeu-cau-chan-chinh-hoat-dong-hau-dong-bi-sai-lech-o-bac-ninh-post1130983.vov