YÊN BÁI — A ceremony to receive the UNESCO certificate of recognition of Xòe Thái art as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was held on September 24 in Nghĩa Lộ Town, Yên Bái Province.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, speaking on behalf of leaders of the Party and State, congratulated the authorities and people of ethnic groups in Yên Bái, Sơn La, Lai Châu, and Điện Biên on the recognition of Xòe Thái art as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during his remarks at the celebrations.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and delegates joined in the Xòe Thái dance at the ceremony. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

The Prime Minister has expressed his belief that the recognition of Xòe Thái as Việt Nam's 14th heritage inscribed by UNESCO is a moment of great pride for the Thái people and the community of the country's 54 ethnic groups.

PM Chính praised generations of folk artists and the Thái ethnic community for their tremendous efforts to conserve this priceless cultural heritage.

He also thanked and praised the efforts of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the National Council for Cultural Legacy, other relevant ministries, agencies, and localities, collectors, and researchers to preserve and promote Xòe Thái art and Việt Nam's cultural heritage.

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that UNESCO's Representative Office and Christian Manhart, UNESCO's Chief Representative, would continue to provide Việt Nam with close cooperation and effective help to ensure that the country's cultural values are widely disseminated and in tune with the cultural quintessence of humanity.

To continue to create new vitality, spread, and strongly inspire the value of Xòe Thái art, the Prime Minister suggested that the authority, people, and Thái community in the Northwest provinces, as well as the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, work cooperatively to effectively implement the "National Action Programme to protect and promote the value of the intangible cultural heritage of Xòe Thái art" in accordance with the commitment to UNESCO.

"Let us do it with enthusiasm, with heart, with pride, with inner strength, so that the lyrics and music of Xòe khăn, Xòe nón, Xòe quạt, Xòe sạp, Xòe gậy, Xòe hoa,[ Xòe dancing using various props such as scarves, hats]... continue to be nurtured, developed, and spread throughout the community of ethnic groups," he said.

According to PM Chính, the noble and beautiful value of Xòe Thái art should be protected and promoted internationally as well as domestically. Therefore, it is vital to recognise that this is the representative intangible cultural legacy of humanity and take appropriate action.

"Xòe Thái represents the convergence of cultural beauty, therefore, promoting Xòe Thái is our shared responsibility," he added.

The Prime Minister suggested expanding studies and coming up with concrete plans to protect and enhance ethnic groups' and Xòe Thái's identity and customs in socio-economic growth and tourism development.

He urged everyone to take steps to improve the lives of skilled artisans who are committed to preserving the heritage while also making it easier for people to experience and perform Xòe Thái in light of the country's new development conditions.

At the ceremony, Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Việt Nam, presented the UNESCO certificate recognising Xòe Thái art as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity to the representative of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, as well as leaders of the People's Committees of the provinces of Yên Bái, Sơn La, Lai Châu, and Điện Biên.

Tamesis offered congratulations for this significant event and wished that the Thái community and Vietnamese people would continue to maintain, promote, and disseminate the significance of Xòe Thái art, while also contributing more to UNESCO's activities and human culture.

Hoàng Đạo Cương, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, receives the UNESCO certificate of registration for the art of Xòe Thái from Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Việt Nam. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

Following the UNESCO certification ceremony, attendees were able to enter the art space and experience the local distinctive culture through an art programme centred on the theme "Xòe Thái - Essence of the heritage region."

Artists from Yên Bái, Sơn La, and Lai Châu all participated in the beautifully staged art programme, which featured dancing, singing, and performing arts acts of Xòe Thái.

The programme ended with the performance "The quintessence of Xoè art," which brought together traditional folklore values that have become the heritage of the Thái people in the Northwest, with the involvement of more than 2,000 artisans and performers. VNS

The closing performance entitled "The quintessence of Xoè art". — VNA/VNS Photo

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