Following the success of two previous times of organization, the 3rd program “Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship Elite Convergence Day” is held to honor the beauty of Mother Goddess Worship belief practice. Besides, this is also an activity to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of Vietnamese Tam Phu Mother Goddess Worship belief practice which is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, and to respond the National Plan of Action for the Protection and Promotion of value of the intangible cultural heritages of Vietnamese Tam Phu Mother Goddess Worship belief practice launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The 3rd program “Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship Elite Convergence Day” took place at Phu Tay Ho (Hanoi), one of the most sacred places in the system of religious relics of Hanoi capital, where people worship Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh, one of the four immortal Saints of Vietnam, the main character representing Vietnamese Mother Goddess, Tam Phu, Tu Phu worship belief.
The audience may experience ethnic group’s cultural features through lyrics, dances, and rituals that not only captivate Vietnamese public but also act as a “bridge” to connect cultural traditions of Vietnam to the world.
“The performance is wonderful. I saw many vivid images that I have never seen before. This is a great combination of costumes, music, and dance. It’s so amazing” – said Mr. Bukar Alkali Abdulsalam, the Counselor of the Nigerian Embassy in Vietnam, as a guest in the program 2019, after enjoying Hau Dong ritual performance by famous Thanh dong.
Thanh dong Pham Thi Bich Phuong has attended “Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship Elite Convergence Day” twice in 2018, 2019.
To hold a successful program and make a great impression on the audience, the program’s Organizing Committee has made good preparation with innovative content and performances. Besides, the contribution and enthusiastic participation of Dong dens, Dong thays, Thanh dongs, and Dao quans all over the country is also a key factor. “This is a meaningful activity. The program is paid attention by the leaders, contributed and participated by Dong dens, Dong thays, Thanh dongs, and Dao quans all over the country. Especially, some typical rituals performed by Dong dens, Dong thays have introduced Vietnamese cultural traditions to foreigners. I hope that the Mother Goddess Worship belief community will be widely developed in the future and continue to be helped and supported by the leadership of each locality to preserve and develop the cutural beauty of Mother Goddess worship belief” – said Thanh dong Pham Thi Bich Phuong, who performed twice in 2018 and 2019 and continued to perform in this program 2020.
Being created and passed down by the Vietnamese people for a long time, the Mother Goddess worship belief is a product of wet rice farmers’ thinking and awareness of nature and society. The Mother Goddess Worship belief contains many profound moral and human values and reflects the objective reality of Vietnamese long-lasting good moral motto: “To be grateful to our benefactor”, honoring the image of the Mother. In addition, the Mother Goddess Worship belief combines many folk cultural features such as music, language, knowledge, costumes, especially Chau Van singing ceremony and Hau Dong ritual, a fanciful, spiritual, and sacred theatrical performance. “The program conveys a message and spreads the beauty of Vietnamese traditional culture. In particular, the program introduces beautiful, vivid, authentic, and exemplary images in the Mother Goddess worship belief in Vietnam” – said Master, Cultural Artist Nguyen Duc Hien, the Deputy Director of Vietnam Institute of Cultural and Religious Studies, one of the people who have greatly contributed to the program.
Master Nguyen Duc Hien and Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau at the program.
In the 3rd program “Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship Elite Convergence Day”, many special activities are held, to be specific: Photo exhibition “The beauty in Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship practice” displaying photos of Thanh dongs performing Hau dong ritual, or some typical Gia dongs; demonstration and introduction of some Hau dong costumes; Rewarding and honoring some Thanh dongs who have preserved and promoted the value of Mother Goddess worship belief and individuals, units and businesses who have participated in or supported the program.
With a systematic approach and organization, the 3rd program “Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship Elite Convergence Day” may attract domestic and international public and researchers, contributing to creating the unique beauty of the contemporary life and conveyed a meaningful message: “Indigenous cultural values have been creating the everlasting vitality of Mother Goddess belief.
Ngoc Hung