Promoting community strength

For every resident of Tran Hung Dao ward, being able to participate in the procession and the worshiping team in the Con Son - Kiep Bac festival is an honor and pride. Photo: THANH CHUNG

Join hands to preserve traditional values

The 2025 Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival marks a new development step, as this is the first festival held in the context of Hai Phong city expanding its boundaries. The festival not only commemorates the merits of National Hero Tran Hung Dao and World Cultural Celebrity Nguyen Trai, but is also an occasion to affirm the strength of community connection in preserving and promoting heritage.

Before the festival, the Tran Hung Dao ward government mobilized forces to coordinate to ensure security and order, traffic flow, and environmental sanitation. In the procession carrying the Saint Tran's palanquin at Kiep Bac temple, Mr. Pham Khac Thuy, a resident of Bac Dau residential group, said: "Participating in the procession is not only a responsibility but also a pride, so all families look forward to contributing a small part of their efforts."

Not only the elderly, the younger generation also actively participates. Nguyen Tuan Dung, an 11th grade student in Tran Hung Dao ward, enthusiastically wears the new soldier uniform in the procession team: "I am very proud to be selected to join the procession team. This is not only an interesting experience but also helps me understand more about the history of the nation. I am proud that my hometown has a world cultural heritage."

The blending of many generations creates a united atmosphere, both solemn and bustling, contributing to affirming that the festival is a place to connect roots and foster love for national culture.

Tourist Nguyen Van Hai ( Hanoi ) expressed his impression: “I have been to many festivals, but what I feel most clearly in Con Son - Kiep Bac is the solidarity of the people. Since coming here, I have always seen friendly smiles and enthusiastic guides. That is what makes us want to come back many more times.”

Not only people in Tran Hung Dao, when invited to participate in the festival events, many people in other localities consider it an honor and are willing to participate. Although they have just experienced the national exhibition "80 years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness journey", when invited to participate in the Culture, Tourism and Trade Promotion Week at the Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival, many OCOP product owners are still willing to participate.

“Although we were participating in another event, when we heard about the promotion and product introduction program at the Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival, our colleagues enthusiastically participated. This is a very sacred and traditional spiritual festival that attracts many people and tourists, so we want to contribute a small part to create more highlights for the festival,” said Mr. Tran Van Trung, General Director of Hai Au Viet Investment Joint Stock Company.

Community strength does not only lie in organizing festivals. More importantly, it also contributes to fostering a sense of responsibility in each citizen for their homeland's heritage. Valuable experiences from assigning forces, mobilizing and promoting the role of associations and organizations are the foundation for the following festivals to continue to spread the spirit of solidarity, building the image of a Hai Phong - Hai Duong city rich in identity, hospitable and civilized.

Connecting past and present with the power of community

Looking back at the hundreds of years of the Con Son - Kiep Bac Festival, it can be seen that the decisive factor for the festival's longevity is the strength of the community. Despite many changes in society, people still unanimously maintain the rituals, the procession, raise flags, set up camps, take care of each offering tray, each Chau Van song, and water puppet show. It is this continuity that creates the lasting vitality of the festival through generations. According to Mr. Le Duy Manh, Deputy Head of the Con Son - Kiep Bac Relic Management Board, each festival season has the consensus and great support of the community. The festival is organized with important significance as a cultural bridge, affirming the vitality of traditional culture, and at the same time demonstrating community cohesion in the vast heritage space.

In the context of integration and globalization, community strength is increasingly asserting its value. Festivals are not only cultural and spiritual activities, but also unique tourism products that attract international visitors. But above all, festivals are where people express their respect for their ancestors, affirming the spirit of solidarity and indomitable will of the nation. It is this strength that continues to nurture the festival, spreading pride in heritage and connecting the past with the present, so that the value of Con Son - Kiep Bac will last over time.

HUY TUAN

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/phat-huy-suc-manh-cong-dong-523019.html