Yen Khanh maintains the cultural beauty of festivals

In the new spring of Giap Thin, coming to Yen Khanh, with festivals stretching from the beginning of the new spring to the third lunar month, people and tourists can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of attractive village festivals such as: Van Giap village festival, Yen Xuyen village festival (Khanh An commune); drum opening festival of Trieu Viet Vuong temple (Yen Ninh town); traditional festival of Binh Hoa Mother Temple, Tho Mat village temple, Duc Hau village (Khanh Hong commune); Ky Phuc festival of Xuan Duong village, Yen Cu village (Khanh Cu commune)...

During the festivals in Yen Khanh, people and tourists always mention the unique festivals in Khanh Hong commune with many cultural and religious activities imbued with the ethnic culture of the Northern Delta. In the commune today, there is a system of historical and cultural relics, communal houses, temples, pagodas and shrines in the villages of Tho Mat, Duyen Phuc, Duc Hau, Binh Hoa, worshiping national heroes such as worshiping General Pham Tu Nghi at Dong temple (Tho Mat village), worshiping Duc Tam at the temple in Binh Hoa village... Along with tangible cultural heritage, the commune also preserves intangible cultural heritage values of traditional character associated with the village community such as customs, lifestyle, organization of traditional festivals...

Mr. Pham Huu Phu, Head of the Festival Committee of the Mother Temple of Tho Mat village, said: Every early spring, on the 6th and 7th of January every year, the people of Tho Mat village organize a procession to the temple, opening the activities of the village festival that have been maintained for many generations. Although society has changed a lot, the ritual and festival activities at the Mother Temple festival of Tho Mat village still retain the traditional cultural features, according to local customs and practices. The organization of the festival aims to meet the needs of religious beliefs and enrich the spiritual and cultural life of the people, so the people join hands to prepare carefully in the form of socialization...

Yen Khanh maintains the cultural beauty of festivals — Many folk games such as lion dance, dragon dance... are maintained in village festivals. Photo: Contributor

Currently, in Yen Khanh district, there are 194 communal houses, temples, pagodas, shrines, and churches serving the religious and belief needs of the people. Of these, 56 communal houses, pagodas, and churches are recognized as historical and cultural relics (12 national relics, 44 provincial relics). Some localities in the district organize annual festivals such as: Khanh Hoa, Khanh An, Khanh Van, Khanh Loi, Khanh Hong, Khanh Nhac communes, Yen Ninh town... Festivals in Yen Khanh district are mainly village festivals, a few are commune-level festivals. For a long time, early spring festivals have become places for cultural exchange with many traditional cultural values being passed down to educate traditions for the younger generation.

For many years, traditional festivals have been maintained in many villages and hamlets, providing an opportunity for local people to express their pride in their ancestors' traditions, to remember the merits of the village's tutelary gods and generals who have contributed to the homeland and country and have protected and assisted the people in making a living. This is also an opportunity for everyone to promote the spirit of community cohesion, actively strive to build a new life of prosperity and happiness.

Comrade Bui Quang Buong, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Yen Khanh district, said: The management of festivals in 2024 has been paid attention to by the Party Committee and authorities from the district to the grassroots level in accordance with the provisions of law. The district has directed departments, branches, organizations and localities to continue to thoroughly grasp and seriously and effectively implement the directives of the Central and the province on festival management and organization. Direct the Department of Culture and Information to implement measures to manage festival activities according to its authority. Regularly monitor, update the situation, inspect and urge the management and organization of festivals according to the provisions of Decree No. 110/2018/ND-CP of the Government , promptly advise the District People's Committee on measures to direct festival management and organization.

Based on the registration of localities on the organization of festivals, the District Department of Culture and Information has guided localities to deploy the implementation of the "Set of Criteria on cultural environment in traditional festivals" according to Decision No. 2068/QD-BVHTTDL of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Coordinate with relevant departments, offices, units and People's Committees of communes and towns to carry out propaganda activities on festivals, relics and implement legal regulations on festival management and organization; propagate the implementation of civilized lifestyle in festivals and other relevant legal regulations. Pay attention to propagating and introducing the origin of cultural and historical values of festivals, relics and the characters that are worshiped and honored...

In order for festivals to take place safely, healthily, joyfully and economically, Yen Khanh district has directed functional agencies to strengthen inspection and examination of compliance with regulations on festival management and organization and other relevant legal regulations; promptly detect and strictly handle violations. Organize and implement well the work of ensuring security, order, traffic safety, fire and explosion prevention, environmental sanitation, food safety, and disease prevention in festival areas.

Through inspection and examination by the authorities, it is shown that the festivals are organized in accordance with regulations, not allowing superstition, taking advantage of spirituality and religion for personal gain, causing disorder and insecurity; people participating in business and service activities at the festival strictly comply with food safety regulations, do not solicit, compete for customers, or raise prices... People participating in the festival have the mindset of being the subject of the cultural festival, appropriate clothing, and proper attitude... The management and financial collection and expenditure for the organization of the festival and donations and sponsorship for relics; the organization of the festival is carried out in accordance with regulations...

Not only attracting a large number of local people, the festivals are also attractive places for tourists to visit and learn about the unique cultural features and typical values of the festivals, through folk games such as lion dance, dragon dance, to tom diem, cockfighting, blindfolded duck catching, tug of war, wrestling... With many festivals held in early spring, Yen Khanh district aims to develop spiritual tourism in the coming time.

As a locality where many festivals take place during the year, especially in early spring, agencies, units and localities in the district have directed cadres, civil servants, public employees and workers to strictly implement the regulations of the Central and the province on implementing civilized lifestyles during festivals. Do not go to pagodas or festivals during working hours if not assigned, do not participate in superstitious activities, do not use state budget, means and public assets against regulations for festival activities. Promote the responsibility of setting an example for cadres and party members, especially heads of Party committees, agencies and units in festival management and organization.

Bui Dieu

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