The Thầy Thím Shrine Cultural and Tourism Festival 2023 will officially take place from October 28-30 (September 14-16 in the lunar calendar) at Thầy Thím Shrine and Tam Tân Bay (La Gi town, Bình Thuận province) with many tourism, cultural, and sports activities reflecting traditional folk culture.
More distinctive
Arriving at Thầy Thím Shrine a week before the festival, preparations, undertaken by members of the management board and various branches, have been completed, ready to welcome visitors. The nearly 2-kilometer road leading pilgrims to Thầy Thím Shrine this year has been renovated, becoming more spacious and convenient for visitors. Banners, slogans, flags, and pennants have been decorated along both sides of the road to welcome pilgrims.
According to the Management Board of the Thầy Thím Shrine historical and cultural relic site, the arrangement and layout of the space for activities during the festival have been completed. They have prepared dining areas for visitors, ensuring no one drinks alcohol or eats within the shrine's walls; and prepared accommodation for visitors to stay at the shrine, ensuring no one sleeps on the road, in the main hall, and in the exhibition area showcasing the legend of Thầy Thím.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, Head of the Management Board of the Thầy Thím Shrine Historical and Cultural Relics, said: The 2023 Thầy Thím Shrine Cultural and Tourism Festival includes folk rituals such as: Welcoming the deity, carrying the Royal Decree and Certificate of Recognition, incense offering ceremony, entering the shrine and placing the deity in its rightful place, offering cakes and offerings to Thầy Thím, vegetarian midday offering, offering food and blessings, inviting spirits, commemorating the ancestors and offering sacrifices to the family soldiers, and the main ceremony. The highlight of the festival is the comprehensive art program held at the opening ceremony at 4:30 PM on October 28th, performed by artists and actors from Ho Chi Minh City, including a theatrical reenactment of "The Legend of Thầy Thím". Besides honoring the merits of Thầy Thím, the program also features special artistic performances praising the attractive aspects of tourism in La Gi town in particular and Binh Thuan in general, celebrating the 2023 National Tourism Year "Binh Thuan - Green Convergence". The opening night will be broadcast live on Binh Thuan Television - BTV and several regional television stations…”.
Folk art of the coastal region
In particular, this year's festival is more distinctive and diverse, featuring additional folk games such as dragon fruit harvesting competitions, blindfolded pot smashing, and blindfolded duck catching. Besides that, several activities will take place continuously before and during the festival, related to celebrating the Thầy Thím Shrine Festival, such as: the 2023 La Gi Town Open Cycling Race, scheduled for October 22nd; the Open Beach Volleyball Tournament, scheduled for October 24th; the Ornamental Plants Exhibition, scheduled for October 26th - 31st; and the Exhibition showcasing products from businesses in the town, scheduled for October 26th - November 5th.
The Thầy Thím Shrine Cultural and Tourism Festival is not simply a traditional folk festival, but also carries historical and cultural significance, commemorating the merits of our ancestors and attracting thousands of visitors from all over to pay respects to Thầy Thím and participate in the festival's activities. Through the traditional rituals of the Thầy Thím Shrine Cultural and Tourism Festival, pilgrims can clearly feel the positive values of humanistic traditions, spiritual values, and the life of Thầy Thím, which was closely intertwined with the Tam Tân area in the past and holds an important place in the spiritual life of the working people of La Gi town to this day. Locals recount that in the past, in Quang Nam, there was a kind-hearted Taoist master with exceptional martial arts skills, who often performed noble deeds and was greatly admired by the villagers. Because of an unjust trial by the king, the Taoist master and his wife fled south to seek refuge. Tam Tân, a remote and prosperous village, became their final resting place. And from here, the legends and virtues of the Taoist couple were wholeheartedly praised, and the villagers of Tam Tan affectionately called them "Teacher" and "Auntie." The story of Teacher and Auntie is a folk legend passed down through many generations, containing many positive elements and educational value.
Although the official opening day of the festival hasn't arrived yet, pilgrims from all over the country have already gathered at the Thầy Thím Shrine since early morning to pay their respects, offer incense in remembrance of the merits of Thầy Thím, and learn about their virtuous history. The Thầy Thím Shrine historical and cultural complex is attracting an increasing number of visitors. Besides the allure of the natural scenery and mountains, visitors will also want to visit Tam Tân beach to swim and enjoy the refreshing waves, admire the endless rows of green coconut trees, and savor the rich and vibrant atmosphere of this prosperous and lively countryside.
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