Promoting the value of festivals

From the Nguyen Trung Truc Festival to other unique folk cultural festivals, all contain cultural, historical, and social values. Preserving and promoting these heritages contributes to safeguarding cultural identity and spreading traditional beauty through generations.

The Management Board of the Nguyen Trung Truc Tomb and Temple Historical and Cultural Relics performs the ritual of reading the commemorative address at the incense offering ceremony for National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc. Photo: LE TRUNG HIEU

An Giang possesses a rich and diverse treasure trove of intangible cultural heritage from the Kinh, Khmer, Cham, and Hoa ethnic communities. This is a valuable resource and an important asset for tourism development, contributing to economic development and social progress. Traditional festivals in the province are all traditional activities that represent the convergence and intermingling of cultures from the plains, mountains, forests, and islands. Many festivals have become important cultural events, attracting the attention of domestic and international tourists.

The Nguyen Trung Truc Festival is held annually on the 26th, 27th, and 28th of the 8th lunar month in Rach Gia ward to honor the contributions and virtues of this national hero, and to educate the younger generation about the patriotic tradition and the indomitable spirit of resistance against foreign invaders and the defense of the country. The festival is not only a national intangible cultural heritage, but also a heritage of the people's hearts – a spiritual value deeply ingrained in their consciousness, preserved, cherished, and spread through many generations. This is not just a festival of one locality, but a common celebration for all the people of the Mekong Delta region, where they express their deep affection, faith, and gratitude towards this hero.

Mr. Nguyen Van Trung, a resident of An Chau commune, said: "Every year, my family comes to Rach Gia to attend the Nguyen Trung Truc festival. The people of Southern Vietnam are always grateful to and admire Mr. Nguyen."

The Via Ba Chua Xu Festival at Sam Mountain and the Bay Nui bull racing festival are unique festivals. The Via Ba Chua Xu Festival at Sam Mountain is the largest spiritual festival in the Southern region of Vietnam, recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. During the festival season, many visitors from far and wide come to pilgrimage, worship, and learn about the customs and beliefs of worshipping the Mother Goddess. The festival not only reflects the process of cultural exchange and convergence in the development and protection of the An Giang region, but also expresses the people's aspiration for a peaceful, prosperous, and happy life.

The Nghinh Ong Lai Son Festival in the Kien Hai special zone is deeply rooted in the long-standing cultural and religious traditions of the coastal people. Mr. Truong Van Duoc, Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Nam Hai Mausoleum Historical and Cultural Relics, stated that the festival originated from the customs and beliefs of fishermen in worshipping their totem animal and has become an indispensable part of the cultural and spiritual life of the people of Kien Hai for over 100 years. The festival is an opportunity for fishermen to express their gratitude to the Great General of the South Sea, to convey their hopes for favorable weather and a peaceful and successful fishing season. It also aims to raise awareness among all levels of government, sectors, and the people about their responsibility in building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity, contributing to the increasingly prosperous, beautiful, and civilized development of Kien Hai homeland and its islands.

Director of the Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Khanh Hiep emphasized that cultural development is not only about preserving heritage and traditional festival values, but also about building soft power and creating an important spiritual resource to promote tourism and local economic development. In the coming time, the cultural sector will continue to coordinate with all levels, sectors, and local authorities in the province to strengthen propaganda and dissemination efforts among all officials, Party members, and the people to jointly build and develop culture to meet the requirements of sustainable development.

LE TRUNG HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/phat-huy-gia-tri-le-hoi-a478733.html