Hai Duong opens festival to honor the tradition of studiousness in the East and Vietnamese reading culture

On March 24, at Mao Dien Temple of Literature, Hai Duong , the opening ceremony of the traditional Mao Dien Temple of Literature festival and the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Festival in the spring of Giap Thin - 2024 took place.

Delegates cut the ribbon to open the book and reading culture festival. (Source: Mekong ASEAN)

The Mao Dien Temple of Literature Traditional Festival is an opportunity for generations of Hai Duong people today to express their gratitude to the great scholars, vow to continue and promote the value of the relic and honor the tradition of studiousness in the ancient Dong land, Hai Duong today.

The event was organized by the Department of Information and Communications of Hai Duong province in coordination with the People's Committee of Cam Giang district. The festival attracted a large number of delegates, people; representatives of schools in and outside the province; representatives of some clans; students and tourists from all over.

The opening ceremony of Mao Dien Temple of Literature and the opening ceremony of the 2024 Book and Reading Culture Festival were held together to honor the philosophy, respect the wisdom, intelligence, and talented people of the ancient Dong land, Hai Duong today. At the event, delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the 2024 Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Festival.

The Mao Dien Temple of Literature Traditional Festival 2024 will take place from March 23-24 (ie Saturday and Sunday, February 14-15 of the lunar calendar). Next, from March 25-27 (from February 16-18 of the lunar calendar), the 28th Hai Duong Provincial Journalists Association Chess Tournament will take place. The ceremonies and activities will all take place at the Mao Dien Temple of Literature National Special Historical Site, Mau Tai Village, Cam Dien Commune.

During the festival, there will be activities such as the exhibition of the theme "Mao Dien Temple of Literature past and present", the theme "Introducing the life and career of Confucius and the great scholars worshiped at the relic"; the exhibition of the theme "Hai Duong Town's Provincial Examination School in Mao Dien" with images of Confucian examinations and exam rules in the area east of the front house of the Temple of Literature; calligraphy activities, exhibition of Sino-Vietnamese calligraphy by provincial calligraphers at the Bell Tower in the worshiping yard; orchid display; book exhibition and display of booths introducing and promoting OCOP products of Cam Giang district...

Mr. Nguyen Minh Hung, Vice Chairman of Hai Duong Provincial People's Committee, beat the drum to open the festival. (Source: Mekong ASEAN)

Mao Dien Temple of Literature has long been a cultural,educational and learning institution of Hai Duong province. Every year, in the second and eighth lunar months, festivals and incense offering ceremonies are held here to honor the tradition of mandarin examinations and show respect for history.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Cong, Member of the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee, Head of the Festival Organizing Committee, reviewed the historical significance of Mao Dien Temple of Literature.

Mao Dien Temple of Literature is located in Mau Tai village, Cam Dien commune, Cam Giang district, Hai Duong province. It has a history of nearly 600 years and is known as the second largest Temple of Literature in the country (after the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi ). Mao Dien Temple of Literature was originally the ancient Hai Duong town Temple of Literature, built during the Early Le Dynasty (15th century), in Vinh Lai commune, Duong An district, Thuong Hong prefecture (now Vinh Hung commune, Binh Giang district, Hai Duong province) to worship Confucius. In the 9th year of Canh Thinh (1801), to facilitate the management of the town, the court moved the Temple of Literature from Vinh Lai commune to merge with the Huong examination school in Mao Dien commune, creating a large cultural and educational center.

Having gone through many wars, changes and weather over time, after being restored and extensively renovated in the years 1801, 1806, 1823 and 1825, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2001, Mao Dien Temple of Literature after many major restorations and especially the major restoration in 2002 - 2004 brought the relic a new look worthy of being a large complex of relics and scenic spots, standing out on the Hai Duong tourism map, the pride of the Eastern people about the tradition of mandarin examinations, contributing to enhancing the cultural appearance of Hai Duong in the renovation period.

Mao Dien Temple of Literature was ranked as a National Historical Relic in 1992 and ranked as a special National Relic in 2017.

Mao Dien Temple of Literature is the place to worship Confucius - the founder of Confucianism and also worships 8 great scholars representing dynasties and fields who are the children of Hai Duong and famous people who are deeply related to Hai Duong land such as: Vice-rector of the National University Chu Van An; Two-country top scorer Mac Dinh Chi; Royal Inspector Pham Su Menh; Great physician, Imperial student Tue Tinh; National hero, World Cultural Celebrity Nguyen Trai; Vietnamese math genius, Minister Vu Huu; Trinh Quoc Cong Nguyen Binh Khiem; Female doctor Nguyen Thi Due.

“The merits and virtues of famous people will forever be shining examples for future generations to follow, and at the same time remind us to always pay attention to the cause of education, training and nurturing talents,” Mr. Nguyen Van Cong emphasized.

Delegates visit the book display booth at the ceremony. (Source: Mekong ASEAN)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hai-duong-khai-hoi-ton-vinh-truyen-thong-hieu-hoc-xu-dong-va-van-hoa-doc-viet-nam-265562.html