Opening of the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi

The opening ceremony of the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi opened a brilliant cultural party, erasing borders between 48 countries to share love and sympathy.

Brilliant cultural exchange at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Vietnam+

On the evening of October 10, at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi officially opened. The program is a cultural "harmony" of 48 countries participating in the festival, through the participation of representatives of embassies and consulates in Hanoi.

Diverse, grand and colorful are the words used to describe the art night. Bac Ninh folk songs, Hue royal court music, Southern amateur music, Mother Goddess worship, and Hanoi Xam appeared on stage one after another with modern musical styles.

Along with Vietnamese lyrics, there are also English subtitles so international friends can easily follow and enjoy.

Harmony with Vietnam is a performance of melodies and dances, conveying messages of tradition and modernity from Laos, Japan, Pakistan, Romania, India, Mongolia... With the support of 3D mapping graphics, the stage of the program was bright in cultural colors.

Performances at the opening ceremony. Photo: Vietnam+

Another highlight of the opening night was the “heritage painting” activity: Delegates from Vietnam and the diplomatic corps poured five colors of sand into a Vietnamese ceramic vase.

The five colors represent the five continents and five elements, filling the ceramic vase, containing the full depth of culture, folk art, and traditional crafts that have been built up over time and years, creating values ​​that last forever.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that culture has no borders, culture is the red thread connecting people and the world. The festival is the connection between the Vietnamese people and other peoples in the world. The Prime Minister acknowledged the difficulties of the first year of organization, but it has brought joy and enjoyment of Vietnamese culture to peoples around the world and vice versa.

Also in his speech, the Prime Minister shared the sadness with the people who are struggling with storm after storm, flood after flood: “Currently, there are still some people struggling with difficulties due to natural disasters. We send our deepest condolences and sympathies to the people and property of the areas suffering from natural disasters and floods.”

The Prime Minister called for the joint contributions of people across the country and international friends to participate in support, especially in the charity auction program on the evening of October 11.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits Vietnam's cultural space at the Festival. Photo: VNA

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also affirmed the Party and State's policy of developing culture, making culture truly an endogenous strength, developing the cultural industry and the entertainment industry. From here, Vietnam contributes to the internationalization of culture imbued with national identity, while at the same time nationalizing the world's civilizations into Vietnam, linking the strength of global solidarity.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam, said that Hanoi has long been a bridge between cultures and a crossroads of traditional and creative values.

“Today, October 10, we come here to celebrate the founding anniversary of the thousand-year-old capital, Thang Long - Hanoi, right at the center of power throughout the city's history, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - a world heritage recognized by UNESCO, has been and continues to demonstrate the enduring spirit of the Vietnamese people," the UNESCO representative in Vietnam shared.

Mr Baker also expressed UNESCO’s deep sympathy and solidarity with the areas affected by the recent natural disasters. “Our condolences go out to the families who have lost their homes and loved ones. In these difficult times, culture reminds us of our roots, a source of resilience, compassion and the capacity to rebuild together.

This festival clearly reflects that spirit. With the theme 'Joining hands with our fellow countrymen in flood-affected areas,' the festival shows that culture not only celebrates beauty and creativity, but also inspires compassion, resilience and solidarity,” said the UNESCO Representative in Viet Nam.

The ceramic vase symbolizes unity through culture. Photo: Vietnam+

The first World Culture Festival in Hanoi is open to visitors from 9am to 9pm on October 11 and 12. Highlights at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long include the fashion show “Footsteps of Heritage,” the 3D Mapping show “Colors of Vietnam, Rhythms of the World,” and film screenings with many cultural promotional videos (360 cinema) and many cultural discovery activities at each country’s booth.

According to VNA

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/khai-mac-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-tai-ha-noi-lan-thu-nhat-523208.html