Nguyen Trung Truc's heroic spirit - the pride of the Southern land

157 years have passed since the day National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc sacrificed, but with his patriotism and glorious feats of arms, his heroic spirit will forever be remembered, becoming the pride of the people of the Southern region. His immortal saying: "When the Westerners have uprooted all the grass in the Southern region, then the Southerners will no longer fight the Westerners" has been passed down forever, fostering the nation's immortal patriotic spirit...

With his ardent patriotism and extraordinary military talent, Nguyen Trung Truc created glorious feats of arms. The people of the South had deep admiration and respect for him. Out of gratitude for his contributions to the people and the country, not only the people of Rach Gia but also people in many places built temples to worship him and held death anniversaries on the 26th, 27th and 28th of the 8th lunar month every year.

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Diep Mai said that the festival aims to honor the merits and virtues of the national hero, educate the younger generation about the tradition of patriotism and the spirit of indomitability against foreign invaders, and protect the country. Traditional rituals, such as: Raising the flag, incense, offering sacrifices to the main altar, and post-festival... are held according to traditional rituals every year at Nguyen Trung Truc communal house. The festival is held before, during and after the festival, taking place from October 1 to 25, with many rich activities.

People offer incense at the Nguyen Trung Truc Tomb and Communal House Historical and Cultural Relic Site. Photo: TRUNG HIEU

The traditional festival of the sacrifice of national hero Nguyen Trung Truc is not only a national intangible cultural heritage but also a heritage of the people - a spiritual value that has penetrated deeply into the consciousness, preserved, embellished and spread by the people through many generations. This is a common festival of all the people of the Mekong Delta, where they express their feelings, beliefs and deep gratitude to their ancestors who sacrificed for the Fatherland. "The greatest significance of this year's festival is to symbolize the spirit of solidarity, harmony and community cohesion after the merger of Kien Giang and An Giang provinces, with the motto "One An Giang - One vision - One will - One belief in victory", joining hands to honor the historical and cultural values, land and people of An Giang", Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Festival Organizing Committee Le Trung Ho shared.

Mr. Le Trung Ho said that the festival is a beautiful traditional culture with profound meaning, demonstrating the morality of drinking water, remembering its source, connecting the community and bringing vitality from the people. The work of mobilizing sponsorship and socializing the organization of the festival received a very positive response from organizations, businesses and philanthropists inside and outside the province. In particular, people of Rach Gia ward and neighboring areas proactively participated in decoration, environmental sanitation, and supporting the service of delegations of guests, contributing to creating a friendly, affectionate festival atmosphere imbued with community identity.

The festival of National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc attracts a large number of people to participate. Photo: TRUNG HIEU

Every year at the beginning of the 8th lunar month, people from all over come together to contribute their time and money to make the death anniversary of Mr. Nguyen auspicious. Every year, on the occasion of the death anniversary of Mr. Nguyen, Mr. Tran Van Thanh, a resident of Binh Hoa commune, and his family arrange time to go to Rach Gia to burn incense for Mr. Nguyen. From the annual memorial service for Mr. Nguyen, Mr. Thanh also reminds his children and grandchildren of the merits of the national hero Nguyen Trung Truc and the tradition of patriotism and resistance against foreign invaders of the nation. "First, to express respect and gratitude to Mr. Nguyen for sacrificing himself for the people and the country, and then to pray for peace for the family and smooth work," Mr. Thanh confided.

Visitors to the festival are served vegetarian meals, soft drinks, and free accommodation. People from inside and outside the province voluntarily contribute their efforts and money, cook together, and make offerings to Mr. Nguyen. Thousands of people from all over come to do good deeds, serving millions of free meals. All are voluntary, demonstrating generosity and solidarity, imbued with the cultural identity of the Mekong Delta region. Mr. Le Van Lien - Head of the Vinh Thong charity kitchen group, Rach Gia ward said: "Every year, my charity group goes to the communal house to set up camp to serve vegetarian meals and free drinks to people attending the ceremony. In gratitude to the national hero Nguyen Trung Truc, everyone is respectful and grateful, contributing a little effort and time to take care of Mr. Nguyen's death anniversary...".

Loyalty

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/hao-khi-nguyen-trung-truc-niem-tu-hao-dat-nam-bo-a464216.html