In many societies, digital entertainment and commercial leisure activities are gradually overshadowing traditional festivals. Despite this trend, I believe such celebrations must be actively preserved, and there are several practical steps that can be taken to help achieve this.
There are various reasons why traditional festivals deserve protection. First, they represent a community’s collective identity and historical memory. These events often carry religious significance, folk customs and artistic traditions that have been developed over centuries. For instance, Vietnamese people often prepare Banh Chung, a square sticky rice cake eaten during their New Year celebration, called Tet, that symbolizes the earth and gratitude to past generations. If these customs disappear, they can seldom be restored and future generations will lose them forever. Furthermore, festivals strengthen social unity by bringing families and communities together in shared rituals, something that modern forms of entertainment cannot replicate. They also play a crucial role in the educational aspect, teaching students about their ancestors’ values and ways of life, thereby fostering a sense of belonging and a connection with their culture over time.
In order to preserve these cultural celebrations, several measures can be taken. First, governments should provide financial support to festival organizers, which would ease the financial burden when hosting these events and encourage smaller communities to continue their traditions rather than abandoning them due to lack of resources. Second, schools should integrate lessons about traditional customs into their curricula, not only to teach students about the history and significance behind these celebrations but also give them a chance to experience different traditional art forms, such as making crafts or participating in performances with artisans. Finally, media and tourism boards can promote these events through television broadcasts, social media campaigns and organize tourism where tourists can experience the customs in real life.
In conclusion, preserving traditional festivals is essential for safeguarding cultural identity and social bonds, and I believe that this can be achieved through increased financial support, education and the promotion of media and tourism.