The Legend of Saint Giong: Hanoi Celebrates UNESCO-Inscribed Festival

THE HANOI CHRONICLE — The annual Giong Festival, a UNESCO-inscribed intangible cultural heritage event, commenced on May 4 (the seventh day of the fourth lunar month) at the Phu Dong Temple in Hanoi’s Gia Lam District. This festival honors Genie Giong, a local legend who embodies the patriotic spirit of Vietnam.

Truong Van Hoc, Vice Chairman of the Gia Lam District People’s Committee, inaugurated the festival. He highlighted the district’s rich cultural heritage as a convergence point of Thang Long and Kinh Bac, and the birthplace of Saint Giong. The festival, he explained, includes processions, rituals, offerings, and performances to commemorate Giong’s heroic sacrifice during the reign of the Sixth Hung King.

Truong Van Hoc, Vice Chairman of Gia Lam District People’s Committee, addresses the audience at the Giong Festival opening ceremony. Photo: Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper

The main event, falling on the ninth day, involves carrying flags from the Mother Temple to the Upper Temple, along with sacrifices and ritual dances and songs. The procession is a key tradition, with offerings of bamboo flowers, paper elephants and horses, and other symbolic items connected to Saint Giong. Traditional games add to the festive atmosphere.

Gia Lam District leaders honor collectives and individuals who have significantly contributed to preserving and promoting the Giong Festival’s values.

Genie Giong, as explained by an official, symbolizes the deep-rooted patriotic spirit of the Vietnamese people. The legend of Giong tells of a giant-conceived child who, at the age of three, grew into a formidable warrior and defended Vietnam against foreign invaders.

The Giong Festival is celebrated across several locations in Hanoi, with Soc Temple and Phu Dong Temple being the most significant sites. Soc Temple marks Giong’s ascension to heaven, while Phu Dong Temple is his birthplace.

A highlight of the festival: a performance depicting the rich cultural heritage.

Researchers from Vietnam and abroad have recognized the Giong Festival as a unique cultural treasure among Vietnam’s 7,000 traditional folk festivals. Its cultural and religious significance led to its inscription on UNESCO’s World Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2010.

Marking the 15th anniversary of this recognition, the Gia Lam District authorities are preparing a dossier to elevate the status of the Phu Dong Historical Relic Site. They are committed to introducing and promoting this intangible heritage through cultural events across the city and the nation.

A captivating art performance at the opening ceremony, celebrating the festival’s rich heritage.

Jonathan Baker, UNESCO representative in Vietnam, commended the Vietnamese Government and Hanoi authorities for their dedication to preserving and promoting the Giong Festival. He emphasized that the 15-year journey is a testament to the commitment to protecting and sharing this precious heritage with the international community.

Another stunning art performance, bringing the festival’s traditions to life.

Nhận xét

Đăng nhận xét

Bài đăng phổ biến từ blog này

Vietnamese man with facial disfigurement keeps on smiling, feeding birds

Hình ảnh
The 44-year-old, who lives with his elderly father and stepmother in an alley in Vinh Long City, the province’s capital, has a speech impairment in addition to his facial disfigurement and many health issues, which has led people to give him the nickname ‘Ba Lep.’ Because of his facial deformity and speech impairment, Hien often finds that many people do not want to talk to him, especially young children who are put off by his appearance. “Only birds feel comfortable in my presence,” Hien said with some effort. According to the owner of a food stall nearby, rain or shine, the man feeds sparrows with uncooked rice while sitting outside. He also ventured out with a mask on during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks that began in late February to make sure the flocks had a full stomach as shops and restaurants shut down, and no public gatherings meant no leftovers for them to scavenge on.  For such a gentle, loving man, life is a constant fight against what he sees...
Đọc thêm

The Noor Family’s Desperate Search for Justice in Balochistan’s Enforced Disappearances

Hình ảnh
The Noor brothers, Sabir and Abid, were reportedly taken into custody during a security operation earlier this month, plunging their family into a state of distress as they desperately seek information about their sons’ whereabouts. Enforced disappearances have become an all-too-familiar tragedy for families in Balochistan in recent times. “Over a 25-year period, an estimated 55,000 people are believed to have suffered a similar fate, with the region bearing the scars of a tumultuous history of human rights abuses. The ongoing protest sheds light on the escalating crisis, as communities unite to demand justice amid a climate of fear and uncertainty for those still missing,” reports indicate. The plea from the Noor family for the safe return of their sons resonates with countless other families across the region who have endured comparable ordeals. Activists and local residents have come together, staging demonstrations across Balochistan to bring attention not only to the...
Đọc thêm

The Art of Vietnam: Showcasing the Country’s Talent on a Global Stage

Hình ảnh
The Hanoi Art House and ArtBlue Studio galleries showcased a diverse array of Vietnamese art at the fair. This included lacquerware, oil on canvas, and watercolor paintings, among other mediums. The artworks of renowned Vietnamese artists Thanh Chuong, Phuong Binh, Bui Trong Du, and Phan Thu Trang captivated art enthusiasts from the UK and beyond. Their unique styles and techniques left a lasting impression on all who attended. Hoa Angie, the director of Hanoi Art House, expressed that the event provided a valuable platform for international artists, including those from Vietnam, to exhibit and sell their creations. It offered them a rare opportunity to promote their art to a global audience and expand their reach into foreign markets. The Affordable Art Fair, a well-established annual event in the UK with a 25-year legacy, presented approximately 1,000 contemporary pieces from a diverse range of artists. This year’s edition featured exhibitions from 100 galleries, not only from t...
Đọc thêm