The festival, themed “Medicine and Public Health”, covers public health issues such as research on how to prevent cancer, new infectious diseases and ways of preventing high blood pressure and diabetes.The festival is also aimed at improving the public’s understanding of how science can help the community as well as promoting the image of Hue as a city of science.
The highlight of the day was the “Royal Palace by Night” event during which visitors had the chance to see the sparkling beauty of the Royal Palace with its mandarins, soldiers, elephants, horses, and maidens together with many ancient architectural and cultural works.
Various kinds of the royal arts were performed during the evening, including Nha Nhac (Royal Court Music), Hue’s classical drama and music and a recital of royal poems.
Also that evening, a fashion show of “Ao dai”, inspired by the lotus and with an environmental theme, took place at Ham Nghi courtyard near Thuong Tu gate. Almost 100 long dresses made of environmentally friendly materials such as silk, chiffon and satin were paraded before the audience. The fashion show was dedicated to the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and 17 designers and 160 models from the country’s three regions took part.
Meanwhile, numerous artistes from overseas brought a bustling and animated atmosphere to the normally quiet Hue City with several unique street performances.
On Le Loi and Nguyen Hue streets in front of An Dinh Palace, musicians and dancers from the French troupe Les Traine-Savates dedicated their funk music to the audience while installation artist Denish Tricot had his pieces on display at Dien Tho Palace and the tomb of King Tu Duc.
After first performing at the 2008 Hue Festival, the stilt walkers from the Merchtern region of Belgium returned to impress the crowds with their multi-coloured costumes, bustling music and humorous routines.
On the south bank of the Huong River, 11 installation works by 14 artists from across the country were on display, featuring stories about environmental pollution, climate change and the harmful effects of toxic chemicals and waste.
On June 7, at the Tu Dam Pagoda, the Thua Thien-Hue Provincial Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Board and the Hue Festivals Organising Committee held a ceremony to revive the Luc Cung Hoa Dang, a Buddhist worshipping ritual which was later turned into a royal dance under the reign of King Minh Mang (1820-40).
(Source: VNA)
The event, to be held in HCMC's Phu Tho Stadium, is part of a larger programme orgainsed by the Mekong Delta Economic Co-operation-Kien Giang Forum 2010.
According to ITPC’s Director Tu Minh Thien, who is also head of the organising board, the 300-stand exhibition will showcase the economic achievements that Vietnam and HCMC in particular have made in a wide range of areas, including processed products, agricultural materials, interior decor, garments, footwear, tourism, hospitality, banking, security and insurance.
The opening ceremony, which saw the attendance of Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong, included performances by artists from France, Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Belgium. With the theme “Cultural Heritage with Integration and Development”, the Hue Festival this year, from June 5-13, will have a wide range of large-scale, impressive cultural shows.
The event is also a chance for farmers and distributors to cement their ties with customers for their own benefits and help increase the value of Vietnamese fruits.
The festival will run from September 30 to October 15, with the theme “Dragon Bridge tells of 1,000 years of Thang Long”, a historical account of Vietnam.
Do Dinh Hong, Head of the Hanoi People’s Committee Office said that under a plan on the festival organisation, the event will include the presentation of traditional gastronomy, art performances and folk games.
They include people from the capitals and world cultural heritage sites in countries such as France, Russia, Denmark, China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, India, Thailand, Laos, the US, Mexico, Argentina, and Australia. In addition, there will be art troupes from 27 countries, including Cuba, Haiti, Senegal, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Mexico and Mongolia.
As well as the 1,000 kites, a procession of 1,000 women wearing traditional dresses with traditional Vietnamese designs and patterns will also take place. This not only acknowledges Hue but also highlights the close links and similar culture that Thang Long-Hanoi and Hue share, according to Nguyen Duy Hien, Director of Hue’s Festival Centre.
Hoa, who is also Head of the Organising Board, further said that French performers, who are a regular feature of the Hue Festival, will put on a variety of entertainments including exhibitions, installation art works, street performances and a selection of concerts and displays.
Trinh Quang Man, General Manager of Victoria Chau Doc, said this year the hotel will collaborate with the Chau Doc Sports Center to organize the Dragon Boat Races which are held annually in celebration of the Lady Xu Festival. The festival is held annually at the Lady Xu Temple from the 23rd to the 27th day of the 4th lunar month.
Hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the event will include a number of activities such as a sea and island festival, a fair promoting the sea-based economy and a meeting in response to World Environment Day (June 5), World Ocean Day (June 8) and the International Year on Biodiversity.
Then there would be Cau Duc pineapples from Hau Giang, Dac Lac avocados from Buon Me Thuot, and Cam Cao mangoes from Dong Nai.
Tran Huu Son, Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, highlighted an open horse racing for the entire northwestern mountainous region, home to about 20 ethnic minority groups, as the core of the event.
According to organisers, this will be EuroCham's prime social event this year, combining a unique culinary experience while celebrating the worldwide cultural event Europe Days.
Vietnamese artists both domestically and foreign-based will be encouraged to send their paintings, graphics, sculpture and installation works created since 2006 to the organisation board.
Main activities, including traditional art performances, a Vietnamese film week and exhibitions highlighting the land, people and culture of Vietnam will be held in Cuba’s capital city of Havana and Mexico’s capital city of Mexico City and Acapulco City.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cao Dang Vinh, the festival 2010, which is named after President Ho’s birth place of Sen Village, is to express the nation’s respect and gratefulness to Uncle Ho and at the same time to promote the image of Nghe An to domestic and international friends.
According to organisers, 50 countries have so far registered to participate in the large festival that features not only the cuisine but also the culture of those countries.
The exhibition, themed “Journey to the Future: Fine Arts – New Generation of Japan”, will be organised by the Japan Foundation to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.