Opening of Ky Cung Festival

(CLO) The Ky Cung Temple Festival and the Ta Phu Temple Festival are two typical festivals, deeply rooted in the traditional culture of the ethnic groups in Lang Son province.

On February 19th (the 22nd day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Snake), the Ky Cung - Ta Phu Temple Festival, the largest festival in the province, took place in Lang Son city and has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Ky Cung Temple Festival and the Ta Phu - Ky Lua Temple Festival are two typical festivals held annually from the 22nd to the 27th of January.

Procession from Ky Cung Temple to Ta Phu Temple. Photo: TPO

These two festivals, deeply rooted in the traditional culture of the people of Lang Son's ethnic groups, express gratitude and remembrance for the great contributions of two officials who helped build and develop Lang Son in the late 17th and early 18th centuries: Ta Do Doc Han Quan Cong Than Cong Tai (worshipped at Ta Phu Temple - Ky Lua) and Quan Lon Tuan Tranh (worshipped at Ky Cung Temple).

The festival is also an opportunity for people to express their solidarity and unity, and to look forward to good wishes for a year of favorable weather, prosperous business, good fortune, happiness, and peace for all families.

During the festival days, many unique activities are organized, such as: ceremonial rituals, palanquin processions, firecracker snatching, folk games, and cultural exchanges showcasing the unique culture of the ethnic groups of Lang Son in the early days of spring.

New features of this year's festival include the opportunity for locals and tourists to participate in a competition for wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) and arranging the five-fruit tray, visiting the exhibition of winning paintings from the "Spring and Festivals" themed painting competition, and a calligraphy booth.

During the opening ceremony, delegates reviewed the history of the two historical sites and festivals, while also enjoying a spectacular lion and dragon dance performance, and cultural performances featuring folk songs such as then, sli, luon, and songs and dances praising the beauty and people of Lang Son.

Cultural exchange activities featuring Then singing and Tinh lute playing from Lang Son province. Photo: TPO

The Ky Cung - Ta Phu Temple Festival originates from a legend passed down through generations: Due to numerous injustices, the high-ranking official Tuan Tranh of the Tran Dynasty committed suicide by throwing himself into the Ky Cung River. Later, the Left Commander-in-Chief of Han County, Than Cong Tai, was appointed to Lang Son province and cleared Tuan Tranh's name. From then on, the people established the Ta Phu Temple to worship him.

Out of gratitude for Mr. Than Cong Tai's actions, every year, on the 22nd day of the first lunar month at noon, the people of Lang Son organize a procession to carry the incense burner of Mr. Tuan Tranh from Ky Cung Temple to Ta Phu Temple to express their appreciation. The name of the festival, Ky Cung - Ta Phu Temple Festival, also originated from this event.

Khanh Ngoc

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/khai-mac-le-hoi-ky-cung--ta-phu-post335206.html