|
Festival Hue 2004 is by far the most splendid display of the culture of Hue, the ancient capital in central Vietnam. Activities vary widely, from cultural heritage to contemporary culture ranging from royal culture to folk games.
To accommodate all the activities at Festival Hue 2004 there are IN and OFF programs. The IN program alone includes 225 shows to be performed in the Imperial City, An Dinh Residence and Tinh Tam Lake. And hundreds of shows of the OFF program are to be presented at 39 sites throughout Hue, from the heart of the ancient capital to Thuan An Beach. Festival Hue 2004 is by far the most splendid display of the culture of Hue, the ancient capital in central Vietnam. Activities vary widely, from cultural heritage to contemporary culture ranging from royal culture to folk games.
To accommodate all the activities at Festival Hue 2004 there are IN and OFF programs. The IN program alone includes 225 shows to be performed in the Imperial City, An Dinh Residence and Tinh Tam Lake. And hundreds of shows of the OFF program are to be presented at 39 sites throughout Hue, from the heart of the ancient capital to Thuan An Beach.
Two of the most treasured achievements of Hue culture-Hue royal light music and the Nam Giao Worship Festival- which has been introduced to the public for the first time. Recognized by UNESCO late last year as part of the world's intangible asset, Hue royal music is still new to both Vietnamese and foreigners. Hue Royal court music and its extended forms, Hue royal dance and Hue traditional singing genre, form the kingpin of the opening ceremony at Noon Gate on the night of June 12. Afterward these performances will be repeated each night for the public. An exhibition specializing in Hue royal musical instruments, attire worn by performers, and printed materials and photographs regarding this topic are open on the first floor of the Royal Theatre throughout the festival.
The Nam Giao Worship Festival organized on the morning of June 17, may be one of the most fascinating shows. Also for the first time, as part of the worship festival, the public will witness a grand street show, a re-enactment of a grand royal procession.
"Festival Hue is an occasion to introduce Vietnamese and Hue culture," says Trung Kien, general director of artistic programs for Festival Hue 2004. "This time, the focus will be placed on Hue cultural performances." From this core, Festival Hue is connected with artistic performances from other parts of Vietnam and the world over. Foreign partners are being more selective so that they can represent artistic works unique to their countries. In addition to France, the festival's main partner, groups from Russia, China and Argentina will perform in the IN program; and those from the U.S., Germany, Australia and India perform in the OFF program. Though the number of guest performers is not large, each group brings to Festival Hue the best shows typical of their cultural identity.
An important change made this time in the artistic presentation is the shifting to the OFF program previously shown in the IN program. The OFF program itself has become more attractive and diverse with the participation of troupes from the three regions of Vietnam. There are also works by Vietnamese celebrities in several different artistic fields.
"Festival Hue is not exclusively for the rich," says Nguyen Xuan Hoa, director of Thua Thien-Hue Service of Culture and Information and deputy chief of the festival's organizing board. "It's a great outdoor banquet where everyone and anyone can pick and choose what they like.". (VNA)
|
