A performance at the event. (Photo: VNA) Hoa Binh (VNA) – Astreet carnival with the theme “Take me to the sun” was organised on July 31 inHoa Binh city of the province of the same name, attracting the attention of localresidents and tourists.
The carnival with six parade cars and about 70 domestic and internationaldancers in colourful costumes moving along the streets of the city, departingfrom Cu Chinh Lan Intersection to Chi Lang road and ending at Hoa Binh Square.The event reenacted some festival rituals and folk games of six main ethnicgroups living in the province, along with the performance of artists fromVietnam as well as those from Ukraine, Cuba, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Colombia andArgentina.
An art programme and ceremony to mark the recognition of the traditional ‘Khai ha’festival and ‘Doi’ calendar of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province asꦗ national intangible cultural heritages were also held in the locality on thesame day.
The art programme, which comprised three chapters, brought to the audience the images of beautiful nature, friendly people and cultural identity of Hoa Binh province that were staged through music and dance of local artists.
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said with its tradition, the Muong people havecreated many unique tangible and intangible cultural heritages, contributing toenriching the cultural treasures of 54 ethnic groups. The fact that “Khai ha” and “Doi” calendarwere honoured as the national intangible cultural heritages associated with wet-riceagriculture, reflects a high level of development, she said.
The Vice President affirmed that these unique cultural values are the factorsthat unite the community, the source of strength that has been preserved, nurturedand passed on from a generation to another generation, helping local residents overcomes difficultiesto develop the homeland into a more prosperous and more beautiful region.
Nguyen Phi Long, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, said the recognitionof the two national intangible heritages was the pride of the administration andpeople of Hoa Binh province, affirming that the province will be determined topreserve and promote the good traditional cultural values of the ethnic groups,striving to turn Hoa Binh into a well-developed province and ensure locals enjoy a prosperousand happy life.
Khai ha (going down the field) is a big festival of the Muong people inHoa Binh province. Held annually right after Tet (Lunar New Year) toreview the old year and mark a new year, the festivity aims to show theirrespect for gods and pray for a year of peace and prosperity.
Meanwhile, the Doi calendar, locally known as the bamboo calendar, wasdeveloped following the movement of the Pleiades stars and the moon. Thecalendar is translated through a set of 12 bamboo strips representinꦑg the year's 12months. It was once used by locals to select good days to organise importantevents such as weddings and funerals. However, it has become less popular andis now interpreted by only local shamans and elders./.
