By Lan Anh
TVU – On December 13, Tra Vinh University’s Victory Center marks today’s milestone in preserving Southeast Asian cultural heritage. It celebrates the graduation of over 90 students from an intensive Khmer arts program in partnership with Vi Thanh City’s Department of Culture and Information.
The two-week program, from September 14 to 28, focuses on three essential elements of Khmer cultural expression: Pin Peat orchestral music, classical dance, and traditional folk singing. This initiative is part of Project 6, a comprehensive national strategy for socio-economic development in ethnic minority regions through 2030.
“Students entered the program with excitement and nervousness,” says Mr. Nhan Minh Phuc, Deputy Director of the Victory Center for Information Technology and Foreign Languages. “Thanks to our instructors’ dedication, they perform with confidence and skill.”
The training occurs in areas with significant Khmer populations, serving as a vital link in cultural transmission. “These classes provide an essential platform for preserving our intangible cultural heritage,” notes Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Dung, Deputy Head of Vi Thanh City’s Department of Culture and Information. “Both instructors and students showed remarkable dedication in overcoming challenges during training.”
For participant Ngoc Nhien, who receives special recognition for her management contributions, the experience goes beyond personal enrichment: “This opportunity has deepened my understanding of our culture. I’m committed to sharing these traditions with my community.”
The closing ceremony features performances by graduating students and recognition of outstanding achievers, marking their transition from students to cultural ambassadors of Khmer heritage.
Some photos of the performances of the learners in the closing ceremony:
