Opening Ceremony of the Vietnamese Ethnic Cultures Festival in Quang Tri Province 2024

This evening, December 14th, at the Quang Tri Provincial Cultural and Cinema Center, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (VH,TT&DL) and the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, in coordination with central ministries, departments, and the People's Committees of provinces and cities, solemnly organized the 2024 Vietnamese Ethnic Cultures Festival in Quang Tri province (hereinafter referred to as the festival).

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Head of the Steering Committee for the festival, Trinh Thi Thuy; the Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Ethnic Council, Dinh Thi Phuong Lan; and leaders from various provinces and cities. Representing Quang Tri province were: the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, Nguyen Dang Quang; the Acting Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Ha Sy Dong; the Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Quang Tri province, Dao Manh Hung; members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee; leaders from districts, towns, and cities; and hundreds of artisans and artists from 16 provinces and cities.

Delegates attending the opening ceremony of the festival - Photo: M.D

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Head of the Festival Steering Committee, Trinh Thi Thuy, said that in a letter sent to the Congress of Ethnic Minorities in Southern Vietnam in Pleiku in 1946, President Ho Chi Minh wrote: “Whether Kinh or Tho, Muong or Man, Gia Rai or E De, Xe Dang or Ba Na, and other ethnic minorities, all are descendants of Vietnam, all are brothers and sisters. We live and die together, share joy and sorrow together, help each other in times of plenty and scarcity.”

Bearing in mind President Ho Chi Minh's teachings, throughout the history of the national liberation struggle as well as in the process of renovation and national construction, under the leadership of the Party, the people of all ethnic groups in Vietnam have always upheld the spirit of great unity, overcome all difficulties and hardships, and worked together to build a prosperous and beautiful homeland.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Head of the Steering Committee for the festival, Trinh Thi Thuy, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the festival - Photo: M.D.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, and Head of the Organizing Committee of the Hoang Nam Festival, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the festival - Photo: M.D.

Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy, Head of the Steering Committee for the festival, emphasized: The culture of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups was formed and refined during the historical process of nation-building and national defense. These cultural values ​​have created a powerful vitality and a unifying force that makes up the strength of the Vietnamese nation.

Besides shared cultural values, each ethnic group possesses its own unique identity, stemming from historical traditions, natural landscapes, and living environments. This gives rise to distinctive cultural values ​​in language, clothing, cuisine, folk art, interpersonal relationships, traditional beliefs, and many other forms of expression, contributing to the unity in diversity of Vietnamese culture.

Preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic groups is both a goal and a central, long-term task identified by the Party and State of Vietnam in all periods, especially in the context of innovation, integration, globalization, and the ongoing scientific and technological revolution.

In practical implementation of the goals and tasks for the development of Vietnamese culture and people in accordance with the spirit of the 13th National Congress Resolution of the Party, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proactively and actively coordinated with ministries, sectors, and localities to carry out many activities and programs aimed at preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of ethnic groups. The Vietnamese Ethnic Groups Culture Festival held in Quang Tri province is a concrete example of the implementation of the viewpoints, tasks, and resolutions set forth by the Party.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Head of the Steering Committee for the festival Trinh Thi Thuy and Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Organizing Committee of the festival Hoang Nam presented flowers and commemorative flags to the participating delegations - Photo: M.D

With the theme "Preserving and promoting the cultural identity of Vietnamese ethnic groups in equality, solidarity, respect, integration, and development for a peaceful world," and with the participation of artisans, actors, and athletes from various ethnic groups, the festival featured many activities with rich and unique content, such as: a folk art festival; a performance of traditional ethnic costumes; and performances and presentations of excerpts from festivals and cultural rituals.

The exhibition showcases and promotes local traditional culture; displays, prepares, and introduces culinary arts; features sports and folk games; promotes tourism; and offers many other attractive activities that contribute to introducing, promoting, and spreading the traditional cultural values ​​of Vietnamese ethnic groups to people nationwide and international friends.

The festival is not only a cultural event, but more importantly, it is an opportunity for cultural figures, artisans, performers, and amateur athletes from various ethnic groups to participate in exchanges, share experiences, showcase the beauty of their own cultures, and spread pride and a sense of responsibility among each citizen and community in preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities in the era of national integration and development.

Images of some groups performing, introducing, and promoting local traditional culture:

According to Hoang Nam, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Organizing Committee of the festival, the Van Kieu and Pa Ko people in Quang Tri are honored to bear the surname Ho, after President Ho Chi Minh. During the two protracted wars of national resistance, the Van Kieu and Pa Ko people always wholeheartedly followed the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, uniting to fight to defend the country and contribute to achieving independence and freedom for the nation. In their current lives, work, and production, despite facing many difficulties, the Van Kieu and Pa Ko people remain united, working together, and wholeheartedly building a new life.

The 2024 Vietnamese Ethnic Cultures Festival, held in Quang Tri province, is an opportunity to honor the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic groups; and at the same time, to gain a deeper understanding of the important role of each ethnic group in the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland.

Through this, we instill in the younger generation the responsibility to preserve and promote the precious cultural values ​​of the nation; contributing to building an advanced Vietnamese culture, rich in national identity, meeting the requirements of sustainable national development in the era of integration.

This is also an opportunity for Quang Tri province to promote and introduce the cultural and tourism products of the land and people of Quang Tri to friends and tourists both domestically and internationally, linking the preservation, conservation, and promotion of cultural heritage values ​​with sustainable tourism development.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nam welcomed the presence of leaders, distinguished guests, artisans, performers, and athletes representing the provinces of Son La, Lang Son, Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, and Quang Tri who have gathered here to participate in this special festival.

Hopefully, the rich and attractive cultural, artistic, and tourism activities that artisans, performers, and athletes bring to the festival will be like vibrant flowers contributing to the radiant cultural identity of the ethnic groups in the garden of culture and art of our country; with a spirit of unity, confidence, and firm steps into the era of national development.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nam expressed sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the central ministries, departments and agencies, and the participating provinces for their support and assistance in enabling Quang Tri province to host and organize the festival. He wished the 2024 Vietnamese Ethnic Cultures Festival great success.

Here are some impressive images from the art program:

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/khai-mac-ngay-hoi-van-hoa-cac-dan-toc-viet-nam-tai-tinh-quang-tri-nam-2024-190415.htm