Efforts to make culture a sharing and connection between people

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

Also attending were Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of General Secretary To Lam; leaders of several central ministries and branches; Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Chief Representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Vietnam; Head of the Diplomatic Corps in Vietnam, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Vietnam Saadi Salama.

Taking place from October 10 to 12 with the spirit of "Connecting - Sharing - Spreading love", the Festival gathered a large number of international friends, artists, social organizations, businesses and Vietnamese people to support the community heavily affected by natural disasters. The event demonstrated the spirit of international solidarity in joining hands to respond to global challenges, especially climate change. The festival space was colorful with traditional Asian-European dances, costume shows, international cuisine and Vietnamese art performances with the message "The world beats together with love".

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders visit the National Cultural Spaces of the countries participating in the Festival. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

The official opening ceremony was held at the heritage center with the art program “Colors of Vietnam - Rhythm of the World”. The opening was the resounding drum beats, 3D Mapping projection effects and the song Hello Vietnam in a solemn and modern atmosphere. Next, the “Colors and Cultural Heritage” ceremony was performed when the delegates harmonized the five colors symbolizing the cultural connection of the countries.

The art performance introduced typical heritages of Vietnam such as Quan Ho Bac Ninh, Hue Royal Court Music, Central Highlands Gong, Southern Amateur Music, Hat Van Co Doi Thuong Ngan, Xam Thang Long... Along with that, art troupes from Laos, Japan, Mongolia, Romania, Pakistan, India... contributed to creating a colorful picture of world culture. The opening night ended with the performance We Are The World spreading the message of friendship, solidarity and peace.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

At the round stage, the audience will enjoy Quan Ho folk songs, Cheo art, water puppetry and performances by art troupes from Thailand, Laos, Palestine, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, Ukraine, Philippines, UAE... creating a vibrant, multi-ethnic and friendly atmosphere...

In his opening remarks, on behalf of General Secretary To Lam, Party and State leaders, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent respectful greetings, warm regards, and best wishes to the distinguished guests; emphasizing that culture is the red thread connecting people to people, connecting countries to countries, connecting the world to each other; culture has no borders.

A drum performance imbued with national cultural identity was performed at the opening ceremony. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

Emphasizing that this Festival is a connection between the Vietnamese people and peoples around the world, the Prime Minister thanked international friends for their presence at this event; stating that “all beginnings are difficult”, there are difficulties but we try very hard so that this Festival brings joy and cultural enjoyment to peoples around the world with Vietnam, and of Vietnam to peoples around the world.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders performed a special ceremony (painting five-color ceramic paintings) to open the Festival. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

The Prime Minister pointed out that Vietnam has been struggling with many storms and floods, "storm after storm, flood after flood"; in the third quarter, Vietnam suffered 8 storms, 4 in September alone; a part of the Vietnamese people are struggling with the difficulties caused by natural disasters. The Prime Minister sent his condolences and deep sympathy to the people who have suffered loss of life and property in the current natural disaster and flood areas; emphasizing that Vietnam calls for contributions and sharing from the people of the whole country and international friends for those who are being severely affected by natural disasters.

A special dance performance was performed at the Opening Ceremony. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

The Prime Minister pointed out that President Ho Chi Minh - the great national hero, world cultural celebrity once affirmed that "Culture lights the way for the nation", our Party also affirmed that "Culture is an endogenous strength", culture is scientific, national, and popular. Currently, we are concretizing this Party's policy so that culture is truly an endogenous strength, connecting people to people, between cultures; developing the cultural and entertainment industry, thereby contributing to the internationalization of Vietnamese culture with international friends; at the same time, nationalizing world civilization in Vietnam; this contributes to making people truly enjoy Vietnamese culture and world civilization.

The Prime Minister hopes that ministries, branches, localities, especially countries having relations with Vietnam, Embassies and Consulates General in Vietnam continue to respond to the World Cultural Festival in Hanoi every year; continue to make culture an endogenous strength, a strength of international solidarity, a strength of sharing to respond to natural disasters and the consequences of climate change that are causing us - all of which are issues of a national, comprehensive, global nature, thus requiring international solidarity, promoting multilateralism, mutual assistance, including cultural ties.

The Prime Minister thanked Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of General Secretary To Lam, for her good idea, which was responded to by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and diplomatic agencies in Vietnam, contributing to the world cultural festival; we are enjoying and enjoying; at the same time, we do not forget the people who are suffering the consequences of natural disasters and will have a support program within the framework of this Festival, demonstrating a culture imbued with national identity, including the culture of sharing, the culture of helping each other, the culture of "national love, compatriots' affection"; we can share and send our feelings in many different forms to our compatriots who are suffering the consequences of climate change, including the recent storms and floods.

UNESCO Representative in Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker speaks at the Festival. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

At the ceremony, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker expressed UNESCO’s deep sympathy and solidarity with the areas affected by the recent natural disasters; sent condolences to the families who lost their homes and loved ones; and stated that in these difficult times, culture reminds us of our roots, which are the roots of resilience, compassion and the ability to rebuild our lives together. This festival clearly demonstrates that spirit. With the theme “Joining hands with our fellow countrymen in flood-affected areas”, the Festival shows that culture is not only a celebration of beauty and creativity but also an inspiration for compassion, recovery and solidarity.

He affirmed that UNESCO is proud to accompany Vietnam on this meaningful journey. UNESCO’s cooperation in the World Culture Festival in Hanoi emphasizes that creativity and humanity always go hand in hand. Let this Festival be remembered – not only for its colors and performances – but also for the message that when culture connects, humanity unites. Together, let us build a future where culture inspires unity and resilience in the face of adversity – right here in Hanoi, and around the world.

* At the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders performed a special ceremony (painting five-color ceramic paintings) to open the Festival.

The opening ceremony also featured special art performances by Vietnam and other participating countries. Before that, the Prime Minister and other leaders visited the National Cultural Spaces of the participating countries.

Ha Thanh Giang

Source: https://nhandan.vn/no-luc-de-van-hoa-la-su-se-chia-ket-noi-giua-con-nguoi-voi-con-nguoi-post914484.html