Visit Thang Long Imperial Citadel to discover "Doan Ngo Festival past and present"

In order to preserve and promote the cultural values ​​of traditional festivals of the nation, the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center introduces a series of activities on the occasion of the Doan Ngo Festival and International Children's Day June 1.

Every year, on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, from the splendid royal palace to the simple countryside, everyone joyfully celebrates the Duanwu Festival. Although the Duanwu Festival in the royal palace and among the people has different rituals and customs, it is an occasion for descendants to return to their roots and remember the merits of their ancestors.

Re-enactment of the Duanwu Festival past and present at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: HT

Traditional beauty

In the traditional festival culture of our ancestors, there has long been a folk song: "In April, measure beans to cook sweet soup - Eat Duanwu Festival and return in May". Duanwu Festival has many different names such as Duanyang, Duanwu or "Mid-Year Festival", but the most popular is the "insect killing" Festival.

According to the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, the Doan Ngo Festival was once solemnly celebrated by dynasties with unique royal ceremonies. Historical records show that under the Le Trung Hung Dynasty, the Doan Ngo Festival was an occasion for the king and the royal family to offer gifts to their ancestors and parents. With the usual court ritual, at Can Chanh Palace, the royal family and civil and military mandarins from the fourth to fifth ranks were all invited to attend. The king sat on the dragon throne, and his subjects congratulated him cheerfully.

Worship space during the Duanwu Festival of Vietnamese families. Photo: HT

In particular, to promote the spirit of loyalty and care for the people's lives, the king often wrote poems on fans to advise. On this occasion, in addition to banquets, the king also gave fans - an essential item in hot weather - to his mandarins.

In folklore, the Duanwu Festival carries many unique customs such as: offering summer products to ancestors, using food to "kill insects" in the body, picking herbs to make medicinal tea, wearing five-color amulets, dyeing fingernails and toenails with henna leaves, wearing hijab, applying realgar wine to children, hanging zodiac animals from mugwort, examining trees... These are all folk experiences closely related to agriculture and weather.

Experience cultural space

In order to spread traditional cultural values, the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center organizes a series of activities on the occasion of Doan Ngo Festival and International Children's Day June 1.

The exhibition “The Duanwu Festival past and present” takes place from May 20, with two main themes: Traditional Duanwu Festival and Duanwu Festival in the royal court during the Le Trung Hung period.

Reenacting the fan-giving ceremony during the Duanwu Festival at the royal palace. Photo: HT

The traditional folk Duanwu Festival space (at the exhibition area 19C Thang Long Imperial Citadel) recreates unique customs such as: ancestor worship, offering summer products, "killing insects" with sticky rice wine, boiled eggs, ash cakes, millet tea... Adults drink realgar wine or water from the bones of the tree to detoxify; children wear five-color amulets and have strings tied around their wrists to ward off evil spirits.

The highlight is the image of the snake zodiac animal – the year of At Ty – made from familiar tree leaves. This is a unique work of art, becoming an impressive check-in point for visitors.

The royal space of the Le Trung Hung period (at house N14 - Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site) recreates royal rituals such as: ancestor worship ceremony, court ceremony, fan offering ceremony, banquet ceremony... Through paintings, models and reconstructed artifacts, visitors will be able to explore the ancient royal culture.

Fan display space. Photo: HT

In particular, the Organizing Committee displayed a model of a large fan with a poem written on the fan by King Le Hien Tong (1498–1504) on the occasion of the Doan Ngo Festival, expressing the king's thoughts and concerns about governing the country and bringing peace to the people.

The fan-giving ceremony space is simulated with the model of the Tu Le mandarin giving fans to the mandarins in the court. In addition, the Center coordinates to introduce the fan-making process, tools and the collection of artisan Lan Tuyet, including two types of fans: Traditional fans (needle-studded do paper, delicately carved patterns) and artistic fans (four-season paintings, calligraphy, stories such as Thanh Giong, Dragon Dance, To Nu ...). The exhibition contributes to reviving the intangible cultural space of the royal court, helping visitors clearly visualize the daily life in the royal palace.

In addition, in order to bring the heritage closer to the public, the Center cooperated with artisans to organize performances and exchanges: Calligraphy on fans; leaf weaving took place on May 31 and June 1. This is an opportunity for artisans to share interesting knowledge, bringing unique experiences to tourists and students.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/den-hoang-thanh-thang-long-kham-pha-tet-doan-ngo-xua-va-nay-703662.html