Central Highlands folk arts festival features local identities

The event is held by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong provinces.

Themed ‘Central Highland ethnic groups – Solidarity to preserve and promote national cultural identities, contributing to national sustainable development’, the festival creates a space for ethnic people to meet and aims to promote and introduce the land, people and culture of the region.

The opening ceremony featured an arts programme with the participation of more than 500 artisans and artists who introduced visitors to performances imbued with the traditional identities of the Central Highlands, including gongs and T’rung (bamboo xylophone) performances as well as dances of the Xo Dang, Ba Na, Gia Rai, Gie Trieng and Brau people.

During the six-day festival, a wide variety of cultural and arts events will also be held including a contest on carving folk wooden statues, creating national musical instruments and an artistic photo exhibition.

The highlight of the festival is the exhibition themed ‘Culture of Central Highlands region’ that opened at Kon Tum provincial Museum on the same day.

The exhibition showcases artifacts and photos on production tools, domestic utensils, musical instruments, hunting and fishing tools, handicraft products as well as documents on ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands during late 19th century.

Results after 10 years of Central Highlands gongs recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity are being introduced at the exhibition.

Visitors to the festival will have a chance to enjoy the traditional food of the region at a culinary festival as well as join folk games. In addition, seminars on tourism promotion and community tourism development will attract numerous experts, authorities and travel businesses.

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