Talk-show on cultural activities towards the grand anniversary of Thăng Long - Hà Nội

Preparatory work: From cultural and art activities…

Regarding the cultural and art preparations for the anniversary, Ms. Ngô Thị Thanh Hằng revealed that Hà Nội is focusing on four items of work: (i) highlighting images of the capital city; (ii) encouraging literature and art creations; (iii) launching campaigns to develop cultural life style and build Hà Nội as a green, clean and beautify city; and (iv) building urban socio-economic, infrastructure and cultural projects to welcome the grand event. 

The city has also closely worked with ministries, agencies and local authorities in designing and conducting many activities towards the anniversary, she said.

According to Mr. Nguyễn Nhân Chiến, Vice Chairperson of the Bắc Ninh People’s Committee, the province will host seven provincial-level activities to welcome the anniversary, the biggest of which is the Kinh Bắc Cultural Festival from April 14–18 and is featured with performances of quan họ (love dual singing) and ca trù singing – two UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritages.

In addition, Bắc Ninh is promptly restoring 14 cultural and historical sites relating to the Lý Dynasty, including four ones described as the projects to welcome the millennium of the capital, namely Phật Tích Pagoda, Rồng Temple, Đô Temple and the temple of Lê Văn Thịnh, a famous scholar and courtier under the Lý Dynasty.

Meanwhile, Ninh Bình Province has designed a detailed plan for the 1000^th anniversary of Thăng Long-Hà Nội.

Ms. Hằng stated that the stone steles are acknowledged as accurate historical documentation of royal examinations between 1442 and 1779. Their inscriptions provide many valuable historical details of Việt Nam’s Confucian education for 300 years and biographies of thousands of Vietnamese celebrities. They also highlight feudal dynasties’ viewpoints and philosophy of national construction and protection, cultural preservation, education development, nurturing and using talented people.

As informed by Mr. Trần Hữu Bình, the province successfully hosted the program “Vietnamese businesspeople with Hoa Lư, Thăng Long- Hà Nội: 1000 years of construction and sustainable development” in early March.

Ninh Bình plans to organize the Hoa Lư ancient imperial city on April 18-24 and an exhibition in October to showcase antiques and artifacts dated back the Đinh, Anterior Lê and Lý Dynasties, Mr. Bình revealed.

Ms. Hằng also confirmed that Hà Nội is sparing no effort to embellish and restore its key cultural and historical sites, including the Cổ Loa Citadel and temples dedicated to four tutelary gods of Thăng Long-Hà Nội in four directions, namely Bạch Mã (Hàng Buồm Street, east), Voi Phục (within the Thủ Lệ Zoo, west), Kim Liên (Phương Liên Ward, Đống Đa District, south), and Quán Thánh (Thanh Niên Road, north).

… to a healthy and civilized lifestyle

Ms. Hằng confided that, apart from promoting socio-economic development and guaranteeing social security, order and safety, Hà Nội places importance on fostering a civilized way of living among residents and organizations in the capital city.

Over the past time, the municipal government has encouraged all agencies, units, organizations and people to engage in protecting environment, keeping streets clean, and beatifying the city’s landscape.

Since the last quarter of 2009, competent agencies have dismantled all ugly advertisement panels, painted houses and offices, cleaned lakes and rivers, laid underground telecoms and power cables.

All walks of life of the capital city are encouraged to further highlight their hospitality, elegance and friendliness to.

The millennium of Thăng Long–Hà Nội: A chorus of cultural and art events

Mr. Nguyễn Khắc Lợi, Vice Director of the Hà Nội Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized that the 10-day anniversary will be featured with numerous cultural and art activities organized not only in the capital city but throughout the country.

Notably, the Department is selecting 10 ancient dances to be performed during the anniversary, said Mr. Lợi. “These dances, with simple but elegant movements, spotlight production and socio-cultural activities of Hanoians in the past,” he described.

In addition, as informed by Ms. Ngô Thị Thanh Hằng, the anniversary program will cover an exhibition on socio-economic achievements of Hà Nội, an exhibition on literature and art works, a gala, a live television show between Hà Nội, nine localities in Việt Nam, and 16 foreign cities where many Vietnamese people are residing.

Different hands to a successful anniversary

Activities to welcome the 1000^th anniversary of Thăng Long-Hà Nội have been supported not only by Hanoians but also people throughout the country, overseas Vietnamese and international friends, reported Ms. Hằng.

Since early 2010, the city has welcomed a number of international professional and amateur art troupes.

The construction of the pottery road along the Red River, an idea raised by reporter-painter Thu Thủy, receives great financial and labor contributions from a number of donors, including UNESCO Office, students of the Architecture University, and artisans from the Bát Tràng Pottery Village.

Meanwhile, representatives of Bắc Ninh and Ninh Bình showed their agreement with Ms. Hằng that it is an effective way to engage social entities, especially enterprises and donors, in activities towards the grand ceremony.

By Hồng Hạnh