Proposing to withdraw the death anniversary of Mrs. Phi Yen from the list of national cultural heritage, what does the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism say?

As Vietnamese people It was reported that on April 26, the Nguyen Phuoc Tribe (a descendant of King Gia Long) and cultural and historical researchers in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Thua Thien Hue held a meeting. Scientific discussion “An Son temple and Mrs. Phi Yen in Con Dao – issues from legend to heritage record”.

The purpose of the talk is to verify the events, characters, relics, and origins of the festival to honor and promote the right people and right jobs as well as to return the true values ​​of history to events. , the character, specifically King Gia Long, has long been falsely accused.

Accordingly, the discussion made it clear that Phi Yen is not the wife of King Gia Long at all. The historical documents presented at the seminar also proved that there was no such thing as Nguyen Anh throwing his child into the sea while fleeing the Tay Son army.

Some scientists believe that the Cultural Heritage Department was arbitrary and negligent in registering the death anniversary of Phi Yen in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage without assessing the historical background. about the ruins of An Son temple and the legend of Mrs. Phi Yen.

On April 27, the Nguyen Phuoc Tribe Board of Directors together with cultural and historical researchers signed a petition to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and related agencies on the withdrawal of Phi Yen’s death anniversary from the list of national intangible cultural heritage.

Private chat with Vietnamese people Regarding this incident, Ms. Le Thi Thu Hien – Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage said that the consideration to register a festival as a national intangible cultural heritage is done in accordance with the spirit of the Law. Cultural Heritage and the 2003 Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage to which Vietnam has acceded.

“Intangible cultural heritage” means the practices, forms of expression, expression, knowledge, skills and related tools, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces that communities , groups of people and in some cases individuals recognized as part of their cultural heritage.

The content of the Law on Intangible Cultural Heritage stipulates that festivals are spiritual products of communities or individuals. In intangible cultural heritage, there are many types of festivals, some of which are associated with the worship of a real or deified (i.e. unreal) deity. For example, King Hung Dao Tran Quoc Tuan is a real saint. But there are also bogus characters like Holy Mother Lieu Hanh or Thanh Giong. These festivals express people’s aspirations with something they pray for or worship.

In fact, we already have many festivals on the list of national intangible heritage and there are festivals listed by UNESCO. For example, the Hung Kings Worshiping Belief was registered by UNESCO 10 years ago. Or Mau Lieu Hanh associated with Phu Giay Festival or Dinh Chem Festival to worship the giant Ly Ong Trong. All of these are consistent with the Cultural Heritage Law and ensure the Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003.

Article 10 of Article 10 of Circular 04/2010 on inventory of intangible cultural heritage stipulates criteria for selection of intangible cultural heritage to compile a dossier for inclusion in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage The country must meet the following criteria:

1. Being representative, showing the identity of the community and locality;

2. Reflecting cultural diversity and human creativity, inherited through generations;

3. Resilient and long-lasting;

4. Community consensus, voluntary nomination and commitment to protect.

In particular, about the worship and death anniversary of Phi Yen, the community sees a sacred element, so the heritage has been handed down since 1857 in the space of An Son temple and continues to be transmitted to this day. Until now, the vitality of this festival is spreading more and more,” shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien.

Phi Yen’s death anniversary is considered based on the Law on Cultural Heritage and the 2003 Convention

According to the Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage, the registration of the anniversary of Ms. Phi Yen’s death anniversary in Con Dao district, Ba Ria – Vung Tau province is considered from the perspective of the Law on Cultural Heritage and the Convention on Cultural Heritage Protection. 2003 is not considered based on historical factors.

“If everyone is leaning towards history, who will protect the community that is practicing that culture? In fact, that heritage is being practiced by the host community for generations, continuously transmitted over a long historical period. They considered it part of their spiritual life.

With intangible cultural heritage, it is the story of cultural and heritage practices in the community. We can’t bring today’s life back to yesterday, and we can’t “carry” yesterday’s original to model for today.

Intangible cultural heritage is culture that lives, is present, is its role in the life of the subject. Promote good cultural values ​​through cultural practices that improve the life of the community. Phi Yen’s death anniversary itself is a festival expressing the aspirations and wishes of the people and the community there,” added Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien added that, at present, the Cultural Heritage Department has not received a petition from any organization or individual to withdraw the anniversary of Ms. Phi Yen from the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. family. However, if received, the Cultural Heritage Department will also advise the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to consider this issue in accordance with the spirit of the Law on Cultural Heritage and the 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage.