The People’s Committee of Mai Chau district held a ceremony on February 19 to receive a certificate recognising "Keng loong,” a folk dance of the Thai community in Mai Chau, as a national intangible cultural heritage item. The Xen Muong festival was opened on the same occasion.
Prominent among guests at the event were Nguyen Phi Long, alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Hoa Binh Party Committee; Bui Duc Hinh, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council; Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and Nguyen Van Toan, Vice Chairman of the province’s People’s Committee, as well as leaders of departments and localities of Hoa Binh and representatives from some nearby provinces.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong hands over the certificate recognising "Keng loong” as a national intangible cultural heritage item to Mai Chau leaders.
"Keng loong is one of the typical traditional cultural practices of the Thai community in Mai Chau, which is closely attached with the life of the community. Keng loong dance has become an indispensable part of Thai people, especially during traditional festivals such as the "com moi” (new rice) festival, Xen ban – Xen Muong festival, "cha chieng” festival, and Lunar New Year Festival, contributing to nurturing the soul of Thai people.
In November 2023, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 4346/QD-BVHTTDL on adding the Keng loong social practice and belief of Thai people in Mai Chau into the list of national intangible cultural heritages.
The ceremony to receive the national intangible cultural heritage certificate of Keng loong was held within the framework of Xen Muong festival, becoming an occasion to honour the heritage and efforts of the community and artisans in preserving and promoting its values, and enhance the community’s sense of responsibility in passing down the heritage to future generations.
At the ceremony, participants were briefed on the values of Keng loong social practice and belief of the Thai people in Mai Chau. The Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism handed over the national intangible cultural heritage certificate of Keng loong to representatives of Mai Chau.
Nguyen Phi Long, alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Hoa Binh Party Committee beat the drum to launch the Xen Muong festival. Participants at the event enjoyed Keng loong dance performed by local artisans, and a special art programme.
On the occasion, officials of Hoa Binh and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism engaged in an incense offering ceremony and a tree planting event at Bon village temple.
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