The Culture Centre of Vietnam (CCV) in France has officially become the 56th member of the World Folklore Union (IGF).

Representatives from members of ​the World Folklore Union (IGF) congratulate Vietnam on its membership

The membership recognition took place at the IGF board meeting in Paris on March 31.

At the event, CCV director Nguyen Thanh Vuong introduced outstanding features of Vietnamese folklore, which is considered the root of the nation’s culture.

He said folklore embodies Vietnam’s cultural identities such as patriotism, communal spirit and cultural adaptability.

Vietnam needs to preserve, promote and diversify the traditional culture, thus making it a passport to global integration, Vuong stressed.  

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son took note of the 4,000-year Vietnamese culture which is the blend of the diverse cultures of 54 ethnic groups in the country.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) following the admission ceremony, IGF President Dorel Cosma expressed his delight at Vietnam’s membership in the organisation.

He praised Vietnam’s diverse folklore and affirmed his confidence in the country’s future contributions to the IGF.

According to CCV director Nguyen Thanh Vuong, the membership enables Vietnam to access information and take part in folklore projects among IGF members as well as gain financial and technical support from the organisation.

He revealed that the IGF will sponsor a tour of a Vietnamese troupe from the Viet Bac Folk Music & Dance Theatre across seven European countries next July, while Vietnam can invite artists from IGF member countries to join the local street festivals.

Vietnam’s campaign to become member of the IGF began in mid-2016 with a performance tour of artists from the Viet Bac theatre at the 33rd World Cultural Festival in France.

VNA