From early morning, the An Son Temple area was bustling with locals and tourists joining in the festival atmosphere and commemorating Lady Phi Yen, a loyal, kind-hearted woman with a patriotic spirit associated with sacrifice and a heart for the people and the country. This is one of the biggest festivals of the year in Con Dao special zone.
Immediately after the opening ceremony, 240 locals and tourists participated in a collective tug-of-war competition, symbolizing the 240th anniversary of Phi Yen's death. This competition also opened a series of cultural and sports activities imbued with the indigenous culture of the island region.
Phi Yen's death anniversary is not only a special occasion for local people, the program also attracts many tourists, especially foreign tourists.
“We are so happy to be here to live in the moment. Going to the island during the festival is a great opportunity for us to meet new friends,” said Damian, a tourist from Belgium.
Stefan, a tourist from Germany, said: “It was great to be a part of the festival and not just watch. We also participated in the tug of war. It was really great to be here.”
The festival is held for 3 days (from December 5 to 7) with many cultural, artistic, sports and physical activities, folk games, traditional cake making and flower arrangement competitions. The highlight is traditional folk rituals such as the procession of the Hoi An Prince's tablet and the bathing ceremony. The official rituals will take place at 10:00 on December 7 (the 18th day of the 10th lunar month) at An Son Temple.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Manh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Dao Special Zone, said: "For many years, the traditional festival of Lady Phi Yen's death anniversary has played an extremely important role in the cultural and spiritual life of the community of Con Dao Special Zone. Up to now, the festival has become a unique cultural tourism product known to many domestic and foreign tourists."
The Phi Yen Memorial Festival is the biggest cultural event in Con Dao Special Zone. Through the festival activities, the image of Con Dao - a land rich in historical, cultural and natural landscape values - is promoted to tourists. At the same time, it affirms the efforts of the government and the community in preserving and honoring the local cultural heritage.
Under the canopy of ancient banyan trees, people slowly entered the temple yard to the sound of lion drums and gongs, creating a sacred and joyful atmosphere. The incense scent mixed with the sea breeze brought a sense of peace typical of the sacred island.
Since ancient times, many people in Con Dao have grown up with the story of Lady Phi Yen - a woman who kept her chastity. Her story is not only a legend, but has become the spiritual belief of the local community. Every year, the traditional festival of Lady Phi Yen's death anniversary is held solemnly and thoughtfully, expressing gratitude to ancestors.
An Son Temple, or Phi Yen Temple, was built in 1785 and is one of the rare religious heritages still existing in Con Dao. After the turmoil of 1861 when residents were forced to leave the island, the temple was abandoned for many years. It was not until 1958 that people restored it on the old temple foundation.
Phi Yen Temple has a simple architecture but exudes a cozy and quiet atmosphere. Worshiping Buddha and Phi Yen is a harmonious combination of folk beliefs and religion. Many people come to the temple not only to pray for peace but also to find a quiet moment in their souls, connecting with the cultural values passed down on the island.
On the opening day of December 5, Con Dao put on a bustling festival look. Locals and tourists joined in the festive atmosphere, enjoyed traditional cakes, participated in folk games and watched island art performances.
The festival space is colorful but still maintains solemnity. The trays of food are carefully prepared to offer to the ancestors. At the same time, a vegetarian festival is held in the community, expressing remembrance for the ancestors who have contributed to the country, the land and the people here.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, a resident of residential area No. 3, shared: “This year’s festival was held very solemnly and joyfully. Everyone felt like they were attending a festival of the whole island. This is not just a death anniversary, but also a way for the people of Con Dao to preserve the story of a person who lived a life of loyalty and love.”
In 2022, the Phi Yen Memorial Festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. What makes the memorial festival endure over time is not only the legend of Phi Yen and her children, but also its representative values, which are kindness, loyalty, love for the homeland and the will to overcome pain. These timeless qualities make the festival not only a memorial ritual, but also a source of nurturing the traditional cultural identity of Con Dao in the midst of modern life.
The traditional festival of Lady Phi Yen's death anniversary includes two main parts: The festival part is vibrant with traditional music, lion dance, flower arrangement contest, vegetarian cuisine , and many folk games...; the ceremony part opens with the "Moc Duc Ceremony" at An Son Temple on the night of October 16th of the lunar calendar (December 5th), followed by the ceremony of carrying the spirit tablet of Prince Hoi An from Cau Temple to Lady Phi Yen Temple.
The main ceremony takes place on the morning of October 18th of the lunar calendar (December 7th) with incense offering rituals, reading of funeral orations and traditional offerings.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dac-sac-le-hoi-truyen-thong-le-gio-ba-phi-yen-lan-thu-240-post827056.html
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