In his opening remarks, Quang Thuc Doan, Chairman of the Ninh Phuoc Commune People’s Committee and Head of the festival’s organising committee, highlighted that Bau Truc pottery is a hallmark of Cham culture, embodying the knowledge, craftsmanship and spirit of generations of artisans.
He added that each ceramic creation not only serves practical daily functions but also preserves memories, customs and communal identity.
UNESCO inscribed the art of pottery-making of the Cham people on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2022.
Doan noted that the recognition is a source of pride for the Cham community and Bau Truc residents, underscoring the need to safeguard and promote this heritage.
He said that through the festival, Ninh Phuoc hopes to bring the heritage of pottery-making and its artisans closer to visitors, inspiring a love for the traditional craft and a commitment to passing it on to younger generations.
Running from October 10 to 12, the festival features both ritual ceremonies and festive cultural events.
The highlight of the ceremonial programme is the ritual opening of the Po Klong Can Temple in Bau Truc Village, held in honour of the craft’s ancestral founder, who taught pottery-making to the Cham people.
The festival’s cultural programme features a range of experiential offerings, including an exhibition on the art of pottery-making, hands-on brocade weaving with artisans, virtual reality tours of the craft village and local tourist attractions, and an experiential “Day as a Bau Truc Potter” initiative.
The festival also hosts a culinary fair alongside displays of local specialities.
The festival serves to celebrate cultural heritage, connect culture with tourism and inject fresh momentum into the preservation and development of Bau Truc pottery.
