Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the opening ceremony of the World Cultural Festival

TPO - The opening ceremony of the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi was held on the evening of October 10 at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. The festival aims to become an annual international cultural event. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and delivered a speech at the event.

The opening ceremony of the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi was held on the evening of October 10 at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The festival was jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , and the Hanoi People's Committee, aiming to build a brand of an annual international cultural event, with the motto: "Culture is the foundation - Art is the means" to connect countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that culture is the "red thread" connecting people to people, connecting ethnic groups and nations, and connecting Vietnam with friends around the world .

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the opening ceremony of the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi . Photo: Duy Pham.

The Prime Minister said the festival is a connection between Vietnam and other nations in the world, contributing to bringing joy, exchange and cultural enjoyment to people at home as well as international friends.

The Prime Minister stated that with the motto "Culture lights the way for the nation", the Party and State of Vietnam always identify culture as an endogenous strength, the spiritual foundation of society. Today, Vietnam is concretizing that viewpoint by developing the cultural industry and the entertainment industry. This contributes to bringing Vietnamese culture to the world, at the same time absorbing the quintessence of human culture, blending with national identity.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers the opening speech at the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi. Photo: Duy Pham.

During the festival, Vietnam was struggling with the situation of "storm upon storm, flood upon flood". In September alone, Vietnam had to cope with 4 storms. Currently, a part of the population is still struggling with difficulties due to the impact of natural disasters, storms and floods. At the festival, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for the joint help of the people of the whole country and international friends, to overcome difficulties and stabilize life.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker - Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam - affirmed that the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi clearly demonstrates the cultural importance at this time.

Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker - UNESCO Representative in Vietnam - spoke at the opening ceremony of the festival. Photo: Duy Pham.

“In these difficult times, culture reminds us of our roots, which are the source of resilience, compassion, and the ability to rebuild our lives together. This festival embodies that spirit. With the theme of Joining Hands with Flood Victims , the festival shows that culture not only celebrates beauty and creativity, but also inspires compassion, recovery, and solidarity,” said Jonathan Wallace Baker.

The festival is a place where countries share traditional values, promote innovation, listen together and affirm that cultural differences can become a bridge connecting people together.

Delegates perform a special ceremony (painting five-color ceramic paintings) to open the festival. Photo: Duy Pham.

Within the framework of the festival, in addition to the exhibition booths, UNESCO accompanied Vietnam and Hanoi to organize activities such as experiencing Vietnamese tea culture, and the Youth in Hanoi - Creative City of Design workshop . Accordingly, each activity demonstrates UNESCO's common commitment to Hanoi and Vietnam: putting culture at the heart of sustainable development, empowering communities and promoting creativity as a driving force for inclusion and resilience.

The festival brings together 48 participating countries, including 45 national cultural spaces, 34 international culinary booths, 23 domestic and foreign art troupes, 12 units introducing books and publications, and 22 countries participating in the international film screening program.

Within the framework of the event, there are many rich activities such as Hanoi World Culture Festival, Hanoi International Cuisine Program, film screenings, folk dance, fine arts, international costumes, Ao Dai Festival, Hanoi International Book Festival... bringing a space of experience with global colors in the heart of the capital.

In addition, to demonstrate the spirit of mutual love and support, the festival organizers held a charity auction and raised funds to support the rebuilding of houses, schools and civil works in localities damaged by floods.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-du-khai-mac-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-post1786044.tpo