Unique buffalo decoration painting contest in Ha Nam

Within the framework of the Tich Dien Doi Son festival (Duy Tien town) in the spring of Giap Thin 2024, on January 6, i.e. February 15, 2024, the Ha Nam Literature and Arts Association organized a buffalo decoration painting contest in the area where the Tich Dien plowing ceremony will take place. 20 artists from the provinces and cities of Hanoi, Thai Binh and Ha Nam participated in the contest.

The 2024 buffalo decoration drawing contest attracted many artists from provinces and cities to participate. — **Buffalo decoration contest area.**

According to the regulations, the artists were drawn buffaloes to paint and decorate according to the ideas that had been registered and sent to the Organizing Committee in advance. The contest started from 9am to 3pm on February 15, which is January 6. Along with the artists, the farmers who owned the buffaloes were also present, staying with the artists to help them complete their works within the prescribed time.

Painter Hoang Trung Dung (Thai Binh) has participated in the contest for many years and said: "I was really impressed with this contest from the first time. In the vast space of the sky and earth in early spring, when the earth still seems to be carrying a heavy breath, the seeds begin to stir to spring up, the sound of the festival echoes... The contest takes place, urging our artists' hearts to return. Each person has a feeling, a preparation... but we all share a hope for tomorrow's change. That hope is realized in the paintings on the buffaloes with splendid lines and colors. This year is the year of the dragon, our desire to fly up is really great. The ideas of each of us artists also really soar so that the country's desire to become a dragon can fly up..."

For artist Hoang Trung Dung, he always shows his respect for farmers. The buffalo is the head of the family business. In the life of every farmer family, the buffalo is not only a great asset but also a companion to human production activities. He used ancient motifs and patterns painted on the buffalo to convey a message that the buffalo always has a position and importance in the life of farmers, buffalo is always beautiful in human life."

The buffalo decoration painting contest is one of the unique activities of the Doi Son Tich Dien festival. Artist Pham Quang Thao (Hanoi) shared: "I have been to many festivals, but only when I come to the Tich Dien festival do I see the truly richness of human emotions. In particular, the buffalo painting contest, although held every year, is still attractive and attracts us because of the space and meaning of this activity. This year, many buffaloes brought their calves, the feeling made us feel really special."

Artist Do Thang (Ha Nam) chose the beautiful buffalo number 19. He placed the dragon image in the overall national motifs to express his idea about Ha Nam's aspiration to fly up in the process of national development and international integration. All development comes from the foundation of national culture, which is the "soft power" for Ha Nam to take off.

Tourists coming to Tich Dien festival this year all want to experience painting on buffalo with the artists. It is really an interesting experience, because painting on buffalo is not really simple. The buffalo can hardly stand still like an easel, the materials used by the artists to paint must also be suitable for the buffalo so that the details, colors, and shapes in the idea are expressed in the best and most beautiful way. That experience gives tourists a great inspiration about fine arts and Tich Dien Doi Son festival.

The organizing committee awarded 11 prizes to the artists, including 5 consolation prizes, 3 third prizes, 2 second prizes, and one first prize. The buffalo decoration work No. 19 by artist Do Thang was awarded first prize.