Harnessing the power of the community

At the Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival, behind the solemn rituals, majestic processions, and sacred atmosphere lies the enduring strength of the community. It is this spirit of unity that contributes to affirming cultural identity and pride in heritage.

For every resident of Tran Hung Dao ward, participating in the procession and ceremonial team at the Con Son - Kiet Bac festival is a great honor and source of pride. Photo: THANH CHUNG

Let's work together to preserve traditional values.

The 2025 Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival marks a new stage of development, as it is the first festival held in the context of Hai Phong city's expansion. The festival not only commemorates the merits of national hero Tran Hung Dao and world cultural figure Nguyen Trai, but also affirms the strength of community connection in preserving and promoting heritage.

Prior to the festival, the Tran Hung Dao ward authorities mobilized various forces to coordinate efforts in ensuring security and order, managing traffic flow, and maintaining environmental hygiene. During the procession of the palanquin carrying the statue of Saint Tran at Kiet Bac Temple, Mr. Pham Khac Thuy, a resident of Bac Dau neighborhood, said: “Participating in the procession is not only a responsibility but also a source of pride, so all families look forward to contributing their small efforts.”

Not only the older generation, but also the younger generation actively participated. Nguyen Tuan Dung, an 11th-grade student from Tran Hung Dao ward, enthusiastically donned his new recruit uniform in the procession team: “I am very proud to be chosen to participate in the procession team. This is both an interesting experience and helps me understand more about the history of our nation. I feel proud that my hometown has a world cultural heritage site.”

The blending of generations creates an atmosphere of unity, both solemn and vibrant, further affirming the festival as a place to connect with roots and nurture love for national culture.

Tourist Nguyen Van Hai ( Hanoi ) expressed his impression: “I’ve attended many festivals, but what I felt most strongly at Con Son - Kiet Bac was the unity of the people. Since arriving here, I’ve always seen friendly smiles and enthusiastic guidance. That’s what makes us want to come back many more times.”

Not only residents of Tran Hung Dao Street, but also many people from other localities consider it an honor and are willing to participate when invited to the festival's events. Despite having just attended the national exhibition "80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness," many OCOP product producers were still ready to participate when invited to the Culture, Tourism and Trade Promotion Week at the Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival.

“Even though we were participating in another event, when we learned about the product promotion and introduction program at the Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival, the employees of our company enthusiastically joined. This is a very sacred and traditional spiritual festival that attracts many locals and tourists, so we wanted to contribute a small part to add more highlights to the festival,” said Mr. Tran Van Trung, General Director of Hai Au Viet Investment Joint Stock Company.

Community strength lies not only in organizing festivals. More importantly, it contributes to fostering a sense of responsibility in each citizen towards their homeland's heritage. The valuable experiences gained from assigning tasks, mobilizing, and promoting the role of associations and organizations serve as a foundation for future festivals to continue spreading the spirit of solidarity and building the image of Hai Phong - Hai Duong as a city rich in identity, hospitable, and civilized.

Connecting the past and present through the power of community.

Looking back at the centuries-long history of the Con Son - Kiet Bac Festival, it's clear that the decisive factor in its longevity is the strength of the community. Despite societal changes, the people remain united in preserving the rituals, processions, erecting flags and tents, and meticulously preparing each offering, each ceremonial song, and each water puppet show. This continuity is what gives the festival its enduring vitality through generations. According to Mr. Le Duy Manh, Deputy Head of the Con Son - Kiet Bac Relic Management Board, each festival season receives strong support and solidarity from the community. The festival's organization is crucial as a cultural bridge, affirming the vitality of traditional culture and demonstrating community cohesion within the vast heritage space.

In the context of integration and globalization, the strength of community is increasingly affirmed. 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 reverence for their ancestors, affirming the spirit of unity and the indomitable will of the nation. This very strength continues to nurture the festivals, spreading pride in heritage and connecting the past with the present, so that the values ​​of Con Son - Kiet Bac endure through time.

HUY TUAN

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