THANH HÓA -- Thành Mỹ (Thanh Hóa province) is a highland commune of Thạch Thành district, with 93 per cent of the commune's population being Mường ethnic people.

Although difficulties and hardships persist, the people here are doing their best to preserve many traditional cultural values such as language, costumes, customs, traditions, and cuisine. In particular, Thành Mỹ commune also preserves and promotes the Mường Đòn festival. This festival is considered a "treasure" of the Mường people in Thành Mỹ commune.

Cultural performance at the launch of the Folk Culture Club of Vân Đình village, Thành Mỹ commune. Photo baothanhhoa.vn

Thành Mỹ commune has been building and implementing a plan to preserve and promote the cultural identity of the Mường ethnic group every year. The commune directs villages to promote propaganda and mobilise people to participate in traditional cultural preservation activities at village conferences and integrate campaigns and movements in residential areas. They also pay attention to acting as a reputable model in teaching the young generation the traditional beauty of the Mường ethnic group.

In addition, Thành Mỹ commune also focuses on establishing cultural clubs and art teams to serve local activities and pass on the folk songs of Mường ethnic minorities to the younger generation. From clubs to performing arts teams, many members have made efforts to practice and become "cores" that will preserve and promote traditional cultural values. Currently, Thành Mỹ commune has two folk culture clubs and 15 public performance teams. Clubs and art teams not only contribute to preserving cultural identity but also create community cohesion and improve the spiritual life of people in the commune.

Every year, at the beginning of the year, Thành Mỹ commune organises the Mường Đòn festival to commemorate the founder of the commune. During the festival, many cultural and sports activities imbued with the cultural nuances of the Mường people take place, attracting a large number of participants from inside and outside the commune. This is an opportunity to educate the young generations to appreciate traditional values, and actively participate in preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of their ancestors.

Hà Đức Tâm, Chairman of Thành Mỹ Commune People's Committee, said: "With the attention of the Committee, local authorities and the efforts of our people, the traditional cultural values of the Mường ethnic people in the Thành Mỹ commune have a strong influence in people's lives, contribute to the preservation of traditional cultural identity, create motivation to spread the movement 'All people unite to build cultural life' more widely. In the future, the commune will continue to mobilise resources to build cultural institutions to serve community activities.

"They will promote propaganda and advocacy work so that people, especially the younger generation, participate in preserving and promoting the traditional values of their ancestors. Thành Mỹ commune will also regularly organise cultural and artistic exchange activities between villages; promote the effectiveness of clubs and art teams; motivate and encourage artisans to actively participate in passing on traditional culture to the younger generation... These activities will thereby contribute to the preservation and promotion of Mường cultural identity, enriching the spiritual life of people." VNS