Con Son – Kiep Bac autumn festival opens in Hai Duong

Con Son – Kiep Bac autumn festival opens in Hai Duong

The Hanoitimes – Con Son-Kiep Bac Autumn Festival 2016 has been taking place with a wide range of activities in the northern province of Hai Duong.

A ceremony to commemorate the 574th death anniversary of Nguyen Trai, a national hero and a world cultural celebrity, was held at Con Son-Kiep Bac relic site in Chi Linh town of northern Hai Duong province on September 16.

Hai Duong province opens Con Son – Kiep Bac autumn festival 2016 on September 17.

As part of the Con Son-Kiep Bac Autumn Festival 2016, the event attracted the participation of provincial leaders, Buddhist monks and followers, together with thousands of visitors nationwide.
Earlier, a literature parade (ruoc van) from Con Son Pagoda to Nguyen Trai Temple was organised with Buddhist and traditional rituals.
Nguyen Trai, pen name Uc Trai, was born in Chi Ngai commune, Chi Linh district in 1380. He followed Le Loi in the resistance war against the Ming invaders and made great contributions to the nation’s glorious victories.
He was also the author of a huge volume of literary works, including 110 poems and especially Binh Ngo Dai Cao (Great Proclamation upon the Pacification of the Wu), one of the country’s first declarations of independence.
In 1980, Nguyen Trai was recognised by UNESCO as a world cultural celebrity, an eminent military expert and a talented politician.
The highlight of the Con Son-Kiep Bac Autumn Festival 2016 was a folk music and dance festival at Kiep Bac Temple on September 16-17.
In addition, around 50 boats along with 350 fishermen and 300 martial artists joined in a military parade on Luc Dau River on September 17. The event aims to re-enact the Tran Dynasty army during the second struggle against Mongolian invaders.

A military parade on Luc Dau River on September 17 aims to re-enact the Tran Dynasty army during the second struggle against Mongolian invaders.

Dragon and lion dances and martial art performances also made the atmosphere more exciting.

The ritual means to praise Tran Quoc Tuan (or Tran Hung Dao), one of the most revered figures in Vietnam’s history for his leading role in the country’s victories over three major Mongol invasions in the 13th century.
Covering an area of more than 8 hectares in Chi Linh town, the Con Son – Kiep Bac historical site is closely associated with the lives and careers of Tran Hung Dao and great poet Nguyen Trai (1380-1442).
Con Son – Kiep Bac was recognised as a national heritage site in 1962 and a special national heritage site in 2012.
The Con Son – Kiep Bac spring and autumn festivals were recognised as national intangible cultural heritage in 2012.

Thu Minh

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