On the evening of December 19, the Ta Lang – Gian Bi Community-based Cultural Tourism Center in Hai Van Ward introduced the art performance program “Co Tu Memoryland”. The event was attended by Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People’s Committee.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Thuc Dung, Chairman of the Hai Van Ward People’s Committee, stated that “Co Tu Memoryland” is an artistic journey returning to origins—back to memories and enduring cultural values that have nurtured the spirit of generations of the Co Tu people in the majestic Truong Son mountain range.
The Co Tu ethnic group is one of the long-established indigenous communities in the western mountainous areas of Da Nang and the Central Highlands–Central Viet Nam region. Despite historical changes, ongoing challenges, and transformations of the forested landscape over time, Co Tu cultural identity has been steadfastly preserved and passed down through collective memory, the stories of village elders, traditional dances, songs, gong rhythms, and everyday life and labor practices.
“Co Tu Memoryland” represents a vivid crystallization of these cultural values. Each performance segment serves as a slice of memory, recreating and portraying daily labor, traditional rituals such as the New Rice Festival, village solidarity, and community bonds—interwoven with stories of unity, love for homeland and forests, and the aspiration to rise in life among the Co Tu people.
What makes the program particularly meaningful is that the performers were not professional artists, but local Co Tu community members themselves—sons and daughters of the mountains and forests.
Despite challenges related to rehearsal conditions, weather, and daily livelihoods, the performers came together with deep ethnic pride and a strong love for their traditional culture. Through perseverance and dedication, they delivered an authentic, simple, yet emotionally resonant “memoryland,” reflecting a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to preserving their cultural heritage.
The performances by Co Tu community members evoked a deep appreciation for ethnic cultural values, demonstrating how traditional culture can be revitalized and expressed through contemporary artistic language—helping it resonate more broadly within the community, especially among younger generations.
Through the program, Hai Van Ward expressed confidence that “Co Tu Memoryland” fosters a spirit of sharing and partnership in the preservation and sustainable development of ethnic minority communities in the area.
The program also helps audiences gain a deeper understanding of the Co Tu people, develop a greater appreciation for Co Tu culture, and recognize the enduring value of traditional heritage preserved amid modern life.
In the coming period, alongside the development of community-based eco-tourism models associated with exploring Co Tu cultural identity, “Co Tu Memoryland” is expected to become a distinctive cultural product and a new tourism offering, attracting visitors for exploration and experience, and contributing to the sustainable development of community-based tourism in Hai Van Ward.
SOURCE: DA NANG CITY PORTAL
https://danang.gov.vn/vi/web/dng/w/dac-sac-chuong-trinh-nghe-thuat-mien-ky-uc-co-tu
