NDO – A wide variety of unique cultural and artisitic activities were held on April 19 at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in the Dong Mo tourism area of Son Tay town, Hanoi, to open the Vietnam Ethnic Group Cultural Day. |
Themed ‘A colourful harmony’, the opening ceremony featured the participation of the village patriarchs, leaders, artisans and people from ethnic minorities in the Village. Artists, artisans and villagers gave numerous performances of traditional art forms and musical instruments, creating a harmony imbued with the traditional cultural identities of ethnic minority groups. E De artisans from Dak Lak province reproduced the Central Highland Gong Festival which was recognised by UNESCO as a ‘Masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity’. The organising board also arranged an area to display traditional instruments of ethnic minority groups and introduced visitors to the process of making them. Various traditional rituals and festivals of ethnic minorities, including a new rice festival, a ceremony to pay tribute to gods and rituals to pray for good weather and bumper crops, are being reproduced on the occasion. Notably, visitors will have a chance to enjoy specialties and traditional food, as well as join attractive activities, such as tea picking, fabric weaving, handicraft weaving, wine making and Vietnamese traditional medicine processing. The organisation of annual activities to celebrate the Vietnam Ethnic Group Cultural Day (April 14) has significantly contributed to educating patriotism among the people as well as raising public awareness of preserving and promoting the cultural traditions of ethnic minority groups. The event also strengthens national great unity, enhances the promotion of cultural heritages and attracts more domestic and international visitors to the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. A traditional ritual to pray for peace (Photo: VNA) |