Ninh Binh Festival 2024 blends heritage with modern art
The upcoming Ninh Binh Festival 2024 will transform the northern province, home to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, into a living canvas where history converges with contemporary art through music, dance drama, and stellar performances.
Mua Cave is a tourist attraction in Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Hanoi (VNA) – The upcoming Ninh Binh Festival 2024 will transform the northern province, home to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, into a living canvas where history converges with contemporary art through music, dance drama, and st♋ellar performances.
The festival, to take place from November 24-30, aims at spotlighting the rich cultural tapestry of the three ancient capitals of Hoa Lu, Thang Long, and Hue, heard a press conference held in Hanoi on October 30.
Director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Manh Cuong said that festival activities, to be held in Ninh Binh city and Hoa Lu district, are expected to contribute to elevating the heritage urban status of the locality while popularising its images, culture, and people among visitors from far and wide.
The festival’s centerpiece will be its opening ceremony slated for November 24 evening at Dinh Tien Emperor Square in Ninh Binh city, he said, adding it will be broadcast live on VTV1 channel, and provincial radio and TV channels.
Director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Manh Cuong speaks at the press conference. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
General Director of the festival Le Hai Yen said that performances at the opening ceremony, inspired by the historical journey of the Vietnamese nation, will honour efforts by successive kings in founding, relocating, and building the capital city.
To bring legendary tales and cultural brilliance of the UNESCO-recognised ancient capitals to life, an artistic programme is designed as a historical film, blending music, dance, and cinematic elements with cutting-edge 3D mapping technology on a dynamic stage, said Yen.
“It aims to decode ancient legends and uncover deep-seated cultural layers, illuminating the rich heritage and splendor of Vietnam’s former capitals,” she continued.
In a novel addition to this year's festival, the space of the Duc Thuy Son Cultural House will be launch from November 26-27 at Nui Thuy Park in Ninh Binh city. The park will be transformed into an outdoor contemporary poetry exhibition space, where visitors can experience traditional tea ceremonies, poetry recitations, moongazing, and folk music performances.
General Director Le Hai Yen is behind the success of various festivals in Ho Chi Minh City, Yen Bai and Thanh Hoa. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
The festival will also feature many other fascinating programmes, including a music show, called “Ninh Binh – Sao Mai Convergence” on November 28 at Pham Thi Tran Theatre, a street festival the following day at the Tam Quan Gate with traditional costume displays, street performances, and a traditional market showcasing local handicrafts and specialties, and folk games.
The finale of the cosplay contest, where participants will embody historical figures, will be held within the framework of the festival.
Additionally, the event will feature a wide range of art and sports activities such as the 26th Red River Delta Artistic Photography Festival, the ITF U18-J30 International Tennis Tournament, the Vietnam International Challenge 2024 badminton tournament, the Trang An International Marathon 2024, and a trade promotion exhibition.
It will wrap up with an unprecedented electronic folk music concert at Thung Nham ecotourism site on November 30.
Hoa Lu of Ninh Binh became the capital of the Great Viet in the 10th century after Dinh Bo Linh conquered the stagnant warring situation between 12 factions, uniting them and declaring himself Emperor of the Great Viet land.
Dinh Tien Hoang became the first Emperor after one thousand years under occupation by the Han Chinese.
Hoa Lu served as capital for 42 years and was home to the founding Dinh dynasty (968-980), the Early Le (980-1010), and Ly (1009-1225) dynasties.
After King Ly Thai To, also a native Hoa Lu resident, moved the capital to Hanoi, he decided to build new residences and constructions in Dai La and named them exactly the same as the sites in Hoa Lu./.
Renowned for a myriad of poems carved into its cliffs by esteemed historical figures, Non Nuoc mountain in the northern province of Ninh Binh is celebrated as the "Mountain of Poetry" and Vietnam's most prolific "museum of ancient poetry".
President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines and her entourage made a tour of the Trang An eco-tourism site, part of the Trang An landscape complex, in Ninh Binh province, approximately 100km south of Hanoi, on August 25 as part of her ongoing official visit to Vietnam.
A full-day tour to Ninh Binh from Hanoi has been named among Top 10 Experiences in the world for 2024 by TripAdvisor readers, according to the Tourism Department of the northern province of Ninh Binh.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
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Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
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