Cultural beauty at the Autumn Festival

Tourists from everywhere flock to Kiep Bac during the festival days. PHOTO: THANH CHUNG

Preserving ancient rituals

For a long time, every time the Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival comes, Vietnamese people from all over the world gather here to pay their respects and pay their respects to their ancestors who have contributed to the country. The festival is a place to preserve, practice and conserve many ancient rituals. Among them, the announcement ceremony to open the Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival is one of the ancient rituals that has been preserved for many generations. This is the first important ritual, asking for permission from Saint Tran and the gods to officially enter the festival season.

Although the seal-granting ceremony takes place at night, it is always an event that is eagerly awaited by the people and tourists. Photo: THANH CHUNG

In addition, a unique cultural feature that cannot be ignored is the seal opening and seal granting ceremony at Kiep Bac Temple. The ceremony starts from 10-12 pm, conducted by religious dignitaries, elders, and representatives of the Organizing Committee of the Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival at Bac Temple. The Organizing Committee respectfully offers incense, flowers, and items, performs the ceremony to worship Saint Tran and open the seal according to traditional rituals.

The military festival on Luc Dau River recreates the heroic spirit of Dong A in the past. Photo: THANH CHUNG

Anyone who attends the autumn festival must want to attend the Army Festival on Luc Dau River at least once. This is a unique traditional ceremony that was restored in 2006 and has been preserved to this day. The Army Festival is a combination of the traditional water procession ritual and the reenactment of Tran Hung Dao's army gathering at Van Kiep headquarters more than 700 years ago.

On the wharf and on the boats, flags flew high in the sky, the sound of drums urged people on. On the sandbank, lion and dragon dances and hundreds of martial artists performed. On the river, dozens of boats glided on the waves, recreating the heroic atmosphere before the cheers of thousands of spectators.

The military festival on Luc Dau River recreates the military parade to show off forces preparing for resistance in the East in early August of the year Giap Than (1284) and the military gathering with 200,000 troops in Van Kiep in 1285; demonstrating the heroic spirit of Dong A; reminding future generations of the glorious feats of arms of the Tran Dynasty, the unique characteristics of Tran Hung Dao in the use of troops and fighting underwater.

At the festival, there are many traditional rituals, showing the ancient cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people such as: Festival of performing songs to serve the Saints, Peace-praying ceremony and flower lantern festival, Tran Hung Dao death anniversary... This year's rituals have all been upgraded and standardized to be worthy of world heritage status.

Add more new activities

Experiencing traditional Vietnamese costumes is a new activity at this year's festival, enjoyed by many young people. (Photo provided by the facility)

It has been many years since Ms. Pham Thi Ngan from Yen Dung Ward, Bac Ninh Province, and her peers have experienced wearing traditional Vietnamese costumes from the Le and Nguyen dynasties, moving around the relic site, and taking photos for free. “This is a new activity, demonstrating the agility and keeping up with modern trends of the festival organizing committee to attract tourists while contributing to spreading the values of the relic. Through the activity, many people, especially young people, also understand more about the rules, standards, how to choose and use costumes, reflecting the national identity, personality, preferences and civilization of the Vietnamese community in the past,” Ms. Ngan said.

A large audience watched the puppet show at Kiep Bac lotus lake. PHOTO: THANH CHUNG

At the Con Son - Kiep Bac autumn festival, for many years now, the traditional water puppet show has been included to create a space for entertainment and cultural enjoyment for the people. However, this year's festival is the first year that the water puppet show has the participation of 30 professional artists from the Hai Phong Traditional Theater; 22 actors and artisans from the Hong Phong water puppetry troupe, Khuc Thua Du commune and Thanh Hai, Ha Tay commune. This is a program with the participation of many units, with the largest number of artists and actors ever at the festival.

Participating in the festival, visitors can also experience making pottery. *(Photo provided by the facility)*

In addition, the festival also has many attractive activities such as tea making art, Kiep Bac lotus tea tasting, performing arts programs, singing, dancing, music, circus and modern 3D mapping-layer mapping visual arts...

Many people enjoy the experience of writing calligraphy. *(Photo provided by the facility)*

Comrade Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that in order for the festival to preserve its cultural and historical values and avoid commercialization, the management of the conservation and promotion of heritage values in a comprehensive manner is of interest to all levels and sectors. Regularly inspect and supervise festival activities, strictly handle profiteering acts. Limit the number and scope of commercial activities in the festival to create a solemn and respectful atmosphere for the festival. Along with that, promote propaganda about the meaning of the festival, educate the community, promote the role of each individual in preserving national culture... so that the festival is truly a highlight of cultural activities, contributing to promoting the heritage and relics of the homeland.

THU HUONG

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/nhung-net-dep-van-hoa-tai-le-hoi-mua-thu-522960.html