The festival commemorating the death anniversary of King Ngo Quyen is held annually from the 17th to the 19th of the first lunar month at Du Hang Temple (Du Hang Kenh Ward, Le Chan District, Hai Phong City), of which the 18th of the lunar calendar is the main festival day and also the day of the king's death. This year the festival takes place from February 26 to 28, 2024.
At this year's festival, the organizing committee coordinated with Hai Phong Calligraphy Center to open a calligraphy performance contest with the theme of Spring of the Year of the Dragon, gathering 12 calligraphers to compete.
Among the 12 calligraphers, there are 7 male and 5 female calligraphers from localities in Hai Phong city.
Calligraphy works performed by calligraphers at the festival
In addition, at the festival there is also a wrestling competition to symbolize martial spirit.
Flower arrangement contest
Chess competition
According to the Management Board of Du Hang Communal House, in 1427, this area was named Hang Kenh village. Later, the villagers built Nhan Tho communal house to worship the local god of fortune, the commander Vu Chi Thang. In 1564, Hang Kenh village split into two villages: Hang Kenh and Du Hang.
In 1853, King Tu Duc issued a decree to confer the title of King Ngo Quyen as the village tutelary god of the two villages of Hang Kenh and Du Hang. The two communal houses of the two villages became places of worship for King Ngo Quyen. The palace of the commander Vu Chi Thang was moved to the Tu Vu temple for worship.
In 1907, Du Hang villagers rebuilt Du Hang communal house as big and beautiful as Nhan Tho communal house in Hang Kenh village. Over the years and the ups and downs of history, Du Hang communal house has deteriorated and has been renovated many times, until 1992 when the renovation was completed.
In 1992, Du Hang communal house was ranked as a national historical relic. Since 2015, villagers have restored all worship and procession rituals according to ancient customs.
The festival includes rituals: worshiping the Saint, offering sacrifices to the male, offering sacrifices to the female, carrying the Saint, declaring the royal decree, opening the festival with drums, offering sacrifices to the female, families, visitors from all over the world offering incense, and the festival includes calligraphy performances, martial arts performances and folk games, singing Cheo, Quan Ho... attracting thousands of people and visitors from all over the world to attend.
Inside the back palace of Du Hang communal house, King Ngo Quyen is worshiped. This is an ancient communal house with unique architecture.
Speaking to Thanh Nien reporter, Mr. Nguyen Trong Dai, Secretary of the Party Committee of Du Hang Kenh Ward, Head of the Steering Committee for the Du Hang Communal House Festival, said: "The preparation work has been carefully planned by the Party Committee of the ward and local authorities at all levels so that the festival takes place solemnly, especially ensuring security and order."
Countryside market corner at the festival
In addition to the meaning of commemorating the merits of King Ngo Quyen, the festival is also an opportunity to educate the spirit of patriotism, the tradition of building and defending the country to today's young generation.
Source link
Comment (0)