Chapter 27 — Pottery Kiln Fire Keeper

Three months after the opening of the historic kiln, a solemn ceremony was held at the cultural house of Doi Sanh commune, where the representative of the provincial Department of Culture officially handed over the decision to recognize the wood-fired pottery craft of Doi Sanh village as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, and at the same time launch the nomination file to the national level in the near future. This is the result of a surprisingly quick review process, largely thanks to the vivid, emotional documentation that Ms. Uong Bich Thuy painstakingly built, along with the enthusiastic support from the professor who led the survey team after witnessing firsthand the success of Nguyet Bach yeast.

The ceremony attracted the participation of many local officials, the media, and people throughout the region. Van Khe, as the main representative of the village's traditional pottery profession, stood on a small stage and received a certificate of recognition from the representative of the cultural department. Her hands were still shaking with emotion even though she had experienced countless important moments during her recent journey.

— This is an honor not only for my family, - she spoke to the crowd, her voice much steadier than the timid girl who stood in front of the people's meeting a few months ago, - but for the entire Doi Sanh village, for all those who believed, accompanied, and did not give up despite facing so many difficulties. I dedicate this recognition to the memory of my grandfather, who dedicated his life to preserving this flame, and to all those who have joined me in continuing his unfinished story.

*

After the ceremony, another important meeting was also held right at the Thach family's pottery workshop - the official launch of the Doi Sanh village wood-fired ceramic cooperative, a new business model that Van Khe, Khang, Mr. Toai and a number of other artisans in the village have built together over the past few months.

This cooperative model brings together not only the Thach family, but also other households in the village who used to make traditional ceramics but gave up the profession due to economic difficulties, and are now encouraged to return, receive technical retraining, and are guaranteed stable output through the distribution network that Tan Tho company helped build, along with long-term orders from reputable partners that Khang has diligently connected.

— This model will operate on the principle that each family is autonomous in terms of technology and its own know-how, — Van Khe explained at the launch meeting, standing in front of both excited and somewhat skeptical faces of participating households. — The cooperative only plays a general support role in terms of raw materials, markets, and promoting the Doi Sanh wood-fired ceramic brand abroad. Each furnace still retains its own identity and style, without being assimilated or losing its original uniqueness.

Mr. Nguyen, as a representative of Tan Tho Company, was also present at the meeting and gave a brief but sincere speech.

— Our company is committed to investing in building a display area to introduce Doi Sanh wood-fired ceramic products in big cities, while also supporting transportation and packaging costs to reduce the burden on small producers, — he said. — In return, we do not interfere with the production process or require any changes to traditional techniques. I believe this will be a sustainable, mutually beneficial cooperation model.

*

That afternoon, after the meeting ended, Van Khe and Khang walked along the banks of the Boi Giang River, a place that had witnessed so many important moments in their journey — from the first fire watch nights, to the kiss under the moonlight, to the confidant conversations between two like-minded souls.

— Do you believe it, — Khang said, holding her hand tightly, his eyes looking out at the sparkling river in the sunset, — just over a year ago, I was a stranger standing at your gate, not knowing if I would be welcomed or chased away. Yet now, I am standing here, as an indispensable part of this whole story.

— I also didn't expect, — Van Khe replied, smiling and resting her head on his shoulder, — that a person with the surname Chiem could become the most important person in my life, after grandfather and father.

They both laughed, the laughter mixed with the sound of the river flowing gently, the sound of the gentle wind shaking the reeds along the shore. Van Khe looked into the distance, where the Vong Nguyet gourd tree still stood tall behind the bamboo grove, afternoon kitchen smoke was rising from a few rooftops in the village - small but vibrant signs of a community that was gradually reviving, rediscovering pride in the traditional profession of its homeland, after many years of seemingly dying before the merciless wave of modernization.

*

In the following weeks, Doi Sanh wood ceramic cooperative gradually began operating stably. Three households who gave up pottery to become workers in other factories have returned and were directly taught by Van Khe and veteran artisans in the village the traditional techniques of kneading soil, shaping, and mixing glaze. The bustling atmosphere of pottery, which has been quiet for many years, is now gradually returning with the sound of the rotating wheel, the gentle tap of a hammer checking the maturity of the ceramic, and the laughter of young workers passionately learning the craft.

Khac Ben, is now not only a furnace assistant, but has been entrusted by Van Khe with the role of technical manager for the entire cooperative, in charge of training and quality supervision for new participating households.

— My grandfather must be very happy to hear this news, — he told Van Khe one afternoon, while instructing a group of young people how to identify the appropriate moisture level of clay. — All his life he only hoped that this profession would not be lost. Now looking at this scene, he can probably rest assured.

— It's all thanks to you, Ben, — Van Khe replied, patting her close friend's shoulder with respectful eyes. — Without you persistently by my side during the most difficult days, I don't know if I would have had the strength to make it to this day.

Ms. Uong Bich Thuy also frequently visits, not only because of her research work, but also because of the emotional attachment that has formed through a long journey with the Thach family. She brought the good news that the story of Nguyet Bach enamel and the reconciliation between the two families had been published in a prestigious national cultural magazine, attracting the attention of many collectors and lovers of handmade ceramics from all over the country.

— I have received many interview requests, even a television station wants to make a separate report about your journey, — Ms. Thuy announced, her voice full of excitement. — Van Khe, you are not only saving a traditional profession, you are inspiring many other young people who are also faced with the choice between preserving their roots or pursuing easier things.

Van Khe smiled, feeling a quiet but profound pride rising in her heart. She never thought that the journey that began with a reckless decision to organize a large batch of kilns to save her family's fortune could spread so far, touching the hearts of so many people who had never once set foot in the small Doi Sanh village along the Boi Giang river.

*

Mr. Vong, whose health has almost completely recovered after many months of careful nursing, now takes on the role of spiritual advisor for the entire cooperative, regularly telling career stories to young students, passing on the valuable experiences he has accumulated over decades of working with Vong Nguyet furnace.

— In the past, I always thought that keeping a job was a lonely burden, — he confided to Van Khe on a peaceful evening, when they both sat on the porch watching the sunset fall behind the bamboo trees. — Now that I see you doing what you have done, I understand that keeping a job is not about carrying the burden alone, but about knowing how to connect, knowing how to invite like-minded hearts to join forces. That is the biggest lesson I have taught you, even though you always say it was you who taught me.

Van Khe smiled and held her father's hand, filled with gratitude for the change in his perspective after everything they had gone through together.

— I learned that from my father and grandfather, — she replied. — It's just that sometimes we need to stumble and face difficulties ourselves to truly grasp the lessons that our predecessors have tried to pass on.

That evening, when the lights in the pottery workshop were gradually turned on, preparing for another small batch planned for next week, Van Khe clearly felt a complete peace spreading throughout her soul - the kind of peace that can only come after one has gone through enough storms, enough losses and hopes, to finally find a solid shore to anchor.