Then artisan Mã Văn Trực (second from left) from the northern province of Bắc Kạn performs Then. The art form has been recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức HÀ NỘI — The Then practice of Việt Nam’s Tày, Nùng and Thái ethnic groups has been named on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Department of Cultural Heritage said on Friday. The recognition was made during the 14th session of the UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Bogota, Colombia, on Thursday (local time). As an essential part in the spiritual life of the Tày, Nùng and Thái ethnic minority groups, Then is practised in many northern provinces, including Cao Bằng, Bắc Kạn, … [Read more...] about Then practice becomes part of intangible cultural heritages of humanity
Intangible cultural heritage definition
UNESCO lists Thai massage in intangible cultural heritage list
Video PlayerClose BANGKOK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Thai Cultural Minister Itthiphol Kunplome on Friday announced that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has formally added traditional Thai massage to its intangible cultural heritage list, following the traditional Khon dance that had already been listed. The announcement was made at the ongoing Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage's 14th session in Bogota, Colombia. "Thai massage is an aspect of traditional medicinal wisdom that is related to Buddhist teachings and local cultures," said Itthiphol, adding "Thai traditional massage is now recognized as a form of alternative medicinal therapy, applicable to modern medicine." The minister said the enlisting of Thai traditional massage into UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list also promotes the Thai tourism industry. … [Read more...] about UNESCO lists Thai massage in intangible cultural heritage list
Practices of Then recognised asIntangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Practices of Then singing by some ethnic groups including the Tay, Nung, Thai has been named in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity. A Then Master in a ceremony The recognition was made during the 14th session of the UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Bogota, Colombia, on December 12 (local time). Then is an essential ritual practice in the spiritual life of the ethnic groups in some northern mountainous provinces such as Cao Bang, Back Kan, Ha Giang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh ,Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Dien Bien, and Lai Chau. Then ceremonies describe a journey in which the Master controls ghost soldiers travelling from earth to heaven to present items of worship and prayers for peace, prosperity, good crops, and health, etc. … [Read more...] about Practices of Then recognised asIntangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
“The Quintessence of Tonkin” brings VN culture out to the world
Hanoi (VNA) – Staged entirely on water and providing a broad overview of village life, from folklore to music, poetry, water puppetry, Buddhism and more, the open-air show “Tinh Hoa Bac Bo” (The Quintessence of Tonkin) is described as a truly standout tourism product of the capital city of Hanoi, helping nudge local culture closer to international friends. The live entertainment show has been open to the public for two years. (Photo courtesy of the organising board) Tuan Chau Hanoi JSC, and takes place on an outdoor stage on the western outskirts of Hanoi. The Quintessence of Tonkin includes six acts presenting traditional elements of the Vietnamese culture in a contemporary and innovative way. The spectacle draws inspiration from Thay pagoda’s history as it tells how it was founded by monk Tu Dao Hanh and the ancient union between religion and monarchy. (Photo courtesy of the organiser) The spectacle draws inspiration from the pagoda’s history as … [Read more...] about “The Quintessence of Tonkin” brings VN culture out to the world
UNESCO pulls Belgian carnival from heritage list over anti-Semitism charges
UNESCO on Friday withdrew an annual carnival in the Belgian city of Aalst from its heritage list over persistent charges of anti-Semitism. In an unprecedented move, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage said it was withdrawing the carnival “over recurring repetition of racist and anti-Semitic representations” at the event. The carnival of Aalst, in the Belgian Dutch-speaking region of Flanders, was initially added to UNESCO’s list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2010. But the presence in the parade of a float caricaturing Orthodox Jews with hooked noses and sitting on gold bags outraged Belgium’s 40,000-strong Jewish community. Yohan Benizri, vice president of the World Jewish Congress, welcomed Friday’s decision but said it was “unfortunately not the end of the story. We deplore, but today we also fear, the disastrous consequences of the carnival, whether or not it is … [Read more...] about UNESCO pulls Belgian carnival from heritage list over anti-Semitism charges