Hanoi, (VNA) – The Festival For Peace 2024, the first of its kind to be hosted by the central province of Quang Tri, aims to enhance the position and image of the land and people of Vietnam and help with efforts to turn the locality, once devastated by war, into a destination for peace and a meeting place of peace-loving people from all over the world, the organising board announced at a press conference in Hanoi on May 31.

Themed “Joining hands in creating a peaceful world,” the festival will open on July 6 night at the Hien Luong-Ben Hai Banks National Historical Relic Site in Vinh Linh district with a special art performance on both the stage and the river, connecting the northern and southern banks of Ben Hai River through the historic Hien Luong bridge, thus highlighting the meaning of the festival.

Addressing the event, Deputy Secretary of the Quang Tri Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vo Van Hung highlighted Quang Tri's rich cultural and historical traditions with a strategic position in the national construction and defence cause.

He said during the resistance wars for national independence, Quang Tri suffered great pain and loss, but it has revived and risen from the ashes and ruins of war in a world of peace and integration.

The official stressed that Quang Tri has nurtured the idea of the festival for five years with an aim to honour the value of peace, pay tribute to heroic martyrs and people who have died for the Fatherland, and commemorate war victims. The festival also aims to send out the peace-loving message of Vietnamese people, and call on humanity to join hands in building sustainable peace in the world.

The festival will take place on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Agreement (July 20, 1954-2024), the 77th War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947, 2024), heading to the 50th anniversary of the South Liberation and National Reunification (April 30, 1975-2025). It is a national and international-scale culture, sports and tourism event.

Within the festival’s framework, a series of activities and art programmes will be held, giving visitors the feeling of “bringing the whole peaceful world to Quang Tri,” – the land which has become a symbol of peace, healing and revival.

Notably, a cycling for peace event will be held on June 29-30 at the Hien Luong-Ben Hai Banks National Historical Relic Site and the Special National Relic of Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, expecting about 1,000 cyclists.

A requiem for the deceased during the war and a lantern lighting event will be held on the southern bank of Thach Han River.

The festival, which has no ending day, is expected to become a new and unique tourism product of Quang Tri.

At the press ꦰconference, the organising board also announced the festival’s logo./.