Tra Vinh (VNA) – Ways to preserve and promo෴te the traditional art genres of ethnic groups in the South western region was the focus of a seminar in Tra Vinh province on June 16.

Hosted by the Tra Vinh University, the event was attended by over 100 researchers, scientists and artisans from localities across the region. In his speech at the event, Pham Tiet Khanh, Rector of Tra Vinh University referred to a fact that many forms of folk art, especially those of regional ethnic minority communities, are falling into oblivion. Participants made proposals to protect and honour the value of original art genres of the region; like shadow puppetry, “hat ru” (lullaby singing), dances of the Khmer people, “Cham Rieng Cha Pay” folk music, “Ro Bam” theatre art, and the mat-weaving tradition of the Champa and Khmer people. Vice Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Vinh Phuong highlighted the significance of the role played by artisans and communities in conserving these genres of traditional art. Participants stressed the need to outline policies and specific measures to conserve these traditions, focusing on facilitating artisans to operate and designing programmes and projects to restore trade villages. Campaigns should be promoted to raise public awareness of the importance to preserve and uphold the region’s cultural values, they said.-VNA