07:12, 13/12/2020

First positive results from preservation project for Bai Choi

After nearly six months of implementation, the project to preserve and promote the values of Bai Choi, a cultural intangible heritage in Khanh Hoa Province, has initially achieved some positive results, creating a premise for the implementation of the next tasks of the project.
 

After nearly six months of implementation, the project to preserve and promote the values of Bai Choi, a cultural intangible heritage in Khanh Hoa Province, has initially achieved some positive results, creating a premise for the implementation of the next tasks of the project.
 
Reviving Bai Choi in Ninh Hoa Town
 
The project includes seven tasks. Ninh Hoa Town has been assigned to revive a place to play Bai Choi game on nine bamboo huts; build this place into a cultural venue; hold Bai Choi shows on weekends and festive occasions; open Bai Choi training classes; encourage and offer favorable conditions for artists to take part in Bai Choi contests and festivals.
 
 
Bai Choi game played in Ninh Hoa Town
Bai Choi game played in Ninh Hoa Town
 
Implementing the assigned tasks, Ninh Hoa Town associated with the provincial Department of Culture and Sports to hold training classes for 18 artists on skills and how to organize and operate Bai Choi game shows. With the equipment necessary for Bai Choi game shows equipped by the province and the trained artists, Ninh Hoa Town formed Ninh Hoa Bai Choi Club. Since the beginning of October, the town has held Bai Choi game shows at the town Center of Culture, Information and Sports on weekends. Besides, three places in the town have been designated sites for Bai Choi game shows.
 
Up to the end of November, Ninh Hoa Bai Choi Club held 15 Bai Choi game shows, attracting 150 to 200 visitors per show. The information and knowledge about Bai Choi have been introduced to the public through local radios. In 2021, Ninh Hoa Town will continue hold Bai Choi game shows at the communes, wards, and schools; form one more Bai Choi club for the youth; incorporate Bai Choi singing and performing into the town’s cultural contests and festivals.
 
Implementing many tasks
 
The project to preserve and promote the value of Bai Choi is implemented from 2020 to 2023. In 2020, the localities and units over the province have tried to overcome several difficulties caused by COVID-19 pandemic to fulfill the tasks. Specifically, the province has introduced and promoted Bai Choi on Khanh Hoa Newspaper, Khanh Hoa Radio and Television, and the grassroots information systems. The provincial Department of Culture and Sports have brought back some typical ancient verses of Bai Choi and filmed the performances of the artists.
 
The provincial Center of Culture and Cinema has organized Bai Choi shows at 15 junior high schools and high schools in Van Ninh District, Ninh Hoa Town, Nha Trang City, Dien Khanh District, Cam Lam District, and Cam Ranh City. In 45 minutes of each show, the pupils were provided some basic knowledge about Bai Choi folk art form and ways to play Bai Choi game. 
 
According to the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, since 2021, the unit will collect and records documents about Bai Choi scripts, musical instruments and costumes and preserve them at the provincial museum; improve the quality and efficiency in conservation and promotion of Bai Choi. Additionally, the department will also cooperate with the provincial Department of Tourism to make activities relating to Bai Choi to become tourism services.
 
Giang Dinh
Translated by H.N