Bringing together the beauty of the tug-of-war heritage.

Tug-of-war communities with heritage significance in many provinces and cities across the country, as well as the Korean tug-of-war community, gathered for an exchange program to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Tug-of-War Ritual and Game being inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This was an opportunity to honor the special values ​​that the tug-of-war heritage brings.

The tug-of-war performance by the "host" Long Bien ward is always captivating and receives enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

In the grounds of Tran Vu Temple – a famous temple dedicated to Huyen Thien Tran Vu in Long Bien ward ( Hanoi ) – on November 16th, tug-of-war performances by tug-of-war communities from South Korea and eight different localities of Vietnam created a vibrant atmosphere.

This activity is part of an exchange program between tug-of-war communities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Tug-of-War Ritual and Game being inscribed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports in coordination with the Long Bien Ward People's Committee and the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association.

These performances help the public understand more about the cultural heritage values ​​of the tug-of-war ritual and game. A prominent feature is its community spirit, which doesn't emphasize winning or losing, but rather connects it to harvest rituals and customs related to the spiritual and cultural life of each locality.

A lively performance by the youth of Xuan Lai village (Da Phuc commune, Hanoi).

Each tug-of-war ritual and game performed has its own unique nuances. The tug-of-war ritual and game (in Vinh Thanh commune, Phu Tho province) does not determine winners or losers. Each tug-of-war "round" can have several hundred participants, as long as everyone can grasp a long rope several tens of meters long.

The tug-of-war ritual and game in Huu Chap (Kinh Bac ward, Bac Ninh province) are made from bamboo.

Meanwhile, the seated tug-of-war in Ngoc Tri village (formerly), now part of Long Bien ward, was famous for its strong, shirtless young men pulling a large bamboo pole through a red wooden stake. This "competition" required both strength and skillful coordination. In the seated tug-of-war in Ngoc Tri village, if the team from Duong Street won, it signaled a bountiful harvest and prosperous business...

The tug-of-war ritual and game is a long-standing cultural practice associated with the rice-farming civilizations of many Asian countries. In Vietnam, tug-of-war is widespread, from the Red River Delta to the northern mountainous regions.

In 2015, UNESCO inscribed the Tug-of-War Rituals and Games in Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea, and the Philippines as Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Sharing his thoughts on the significance of the tug-of-war exchange activity, the Secretary of the Long Bien Ward Party Committee, Nguyen Manh Ha, emphasized: “Over the years, Long Bien Ward has made efforts to implement many solutions to preserve and promote heritage: restoring traditional rituals, strengthening communication, coordinating research to create scientific dossiers, focusing on educating the younger generation, and preserving the space of historical sites associated with heritage such as the Tran Vu Temple - Cu Linh Pagoda - Ngoc Tri Communal House complex. Long Bien Ward has also been the venue for many exchanges, performances of rituals and tug-of-war games, with the participation of many tug-of-war communities from within the country and internationally.”

This year's cultural exchange program, featuring ceremonial performances and tug-of-war games, marks a new development in cultural exchange by bringing together tug-of-war artisans and communities from South Korea, Cambodia, and the Philippines, as well as eight representative tug-of-war communities from Vietnam, including: Tran Vu Temple seated tug-of-war (Long Bien ward, Hanoi), Xuan Lai mine tug-of-war (Da Phuc commune, Hanoi), Ngai Khe mine tug-of-war (Chuyen My commune, Hanoi), Huong Canh double tug-of-war (Binh Nguyen commune, Phu Tho province), Huu Chap tug-of-war (Kinh Bac ward, Bac Ninh province), Tay ethnic tug-of-war (Bao Nhai commune, Lao Cai province), Hoa Loan tug-of-war (Vinh Thanh commune, Phu Tho province), and Phu Hao village tug-of-war (Vi Khe ward, Ninh Binh province).

In addition, drum and lion dance performances by artists from Sehan University (South Korea) created a vibrant atmosphere of cultural exchange.

The program is not just a performance but also an open cultural forum where communities can exchange ideas, experience the richness and diversity of Vietnamese culture, and learn from international friends about preserving intangible cultural heritage.

The image of the tug-of-war rope being stretched taut amidst cheers conveys a powerful message about community solidarity, the enduring vitality of heritage, and the spirit of friendship among nations.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hoi-tu-net-dep-di-san-keo-co-post923513.html