"Cultural Festival for Peace" held in Hà Nội

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính attends the "Cultural Festival for Peace". VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính attended the opening ceremony of the "Cultural Festival for Peace" that was held in the pedestrian area around Hoàn Kiếm (Sword) Lake in Hà Nội yesterday.

The event is part of activities celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024) and the 25th anniversary of receiving the UNESCO "City for Peace" title (July 16, 1999 - July 16, 2024).

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính offers incense at the statue of King Lý Thái Tổ at Lý Thái Tổ Flower Garden, Hà Nội VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

At the opening of the festival, Trần Sỹ Thanh, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, and Chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee, said the festival aims to spread the message about the values of culture, peace and the creative spirit of the people of Thang Long – Hà Nội throughout the ages.

It also serves as an occasion to honour the cultural heritage and identity for peace of the capital city, he added.

The festival is the largest gathering of artists, artisans, and representatives from 30 districts and within Hà Nội City. More than 8,000 people participated in parades and performances of folk art forms, including intangible cultural heritages recognised by UNESCO and the nation, as well as traditional cultural features unique to the capital.

Art forms such as ca trù (ceremonial singing), Water Puppetry, xẩm (blind wanderers' music), and cultural heritages like Tản Viên Sơn Thánh (Tản Viên Mountain Saint), Hai Bà Trưng (Trưng Sisters) and Thánh Gióng (Gióng Saint) were performed at the programme, giving the audience a deeper insight into the timeless cultural values of Hà Nội.

Hà Nội's traditional art forms are performed at "Cultural Festival for Peace". VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

It was organised into three main themes – Hà Nội-Ngày Về Chiến Thắng (Hà Nội - A Victory Return), Hà Nội-Dòng Chảy Di Sản (Hà Nội - The Flow of Heritage), and Hà Nội-Thành Phố Hòa Bình-Thành Phố Sáng Tạo (Hà Nội - A City of Peace and Creativity).

The event re-enacted key historical milestones of the capital throughout the ages, showcasing and performing both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, as well as notable festivals and traditional crafts of Hà Nội.

One highlighting part was the re-enactment of the significant historical moment for the capital and the country on October 10, 1954, when the army marched in to take over the capital amidst a sea of flags, flowers, and the joy of victory. This marked the end of a long and arduous nine-year resistance war, filled with sacrifices and losses, showcasing the brave and indomitable spirit of our people against a powerful enemy. It was an epic of heroism in the revolutionary cause of our Party and nation.

The re-enactment of the army marching in to take over the capital amid a sea of flags, flowers, and the joy of victory. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

Speaking at the event, Pauline Tamesis, the UN Resident Coordinator and Head of UN Organisations in Việt Nam, expressed her honour in representing the UNESCO Office in Việt Nam and participating in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Hà Nội, as well as the 25th anniversary of Hà Nội being recognised as a "City of Peace" by UNESCO.

She said Hà Nội has been mobilising strong resources from the younger generation to engage in the process of innovation and strive to make the capital a more liveable city for all its residents.

The mass salute of the flag and singing of the national anthem to re-enact the first flag-raising ceremony in Hà Nội on October 10, 1954. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

The commemorative ceremony and the Cultural Festival for Peace are prime examples of Hà Nội’s success in realising its vision of becoming the cultural and creative capital of Việt Nam, she noted.

She also affirmed that the United Nations in Việt Nam, and UNESCO in particular, was honoured to collaborate with Hà Nội in implementing numerous projects and initiatives since the UNESCO office was officially established in the city 25 years ago.

Thanks to mutual trust and continuous efforts, the partnership has significantly and sustainably promoted the development of the city, she added. VNS