Spring longevity celebration

(Baonghean.vn)- In the early days of Spring, many localities in the province organized longevity celebrations for the elderly. This is a beautiful traditional cultural feature that shows the respect of the younger generation for the elderly...

Every year, at the beginning of spring, Hoa Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) organizes a longevity celebration for the elderly. But the grand "Elderly Festival" for the whole village is held every three years. This fine custom has existed since ancient times, this is an opportunity for children and grandchildren to show their filial piety to their grandparents and parents and for society to show respect and gratitude to the elderly.

Elderly banquet in Phan Dang Luu village (Hoa Thanh, Yen Thanh).

Normally, 60 years old is allowed to attend the banquet, 70 years old is called longevity, 80 years old is great longevity, 90 years old is great longevity and 100 years old is called centenarian or centenarian. When attending the ceremony, the village stipulates that the elders from 60 to 69 years old wear dark silk shirts; from 70 to 80 years old wear shirts and red silk scarves; from 90 years old and up wear shirts and red silk scarves... But now, the ceremonial dress and procession are not so strict, depending on each family. Traditional rituals such as longevity celebrations, parallel sentences, gift giving, and wine offerings are continued to be maintained, although they are more concise but still retain the beauty of traditional culture.

According to Mr. Le Thanh Binh - Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, Hoa Thanh currently has more than 800 elderly people. On the first day of spring, the government went to each house to give gifts and celebrate longevity for the elderly. On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year this year, a grand banquet for the elderly was held in the villages to honor and encourage the elderly to live happily, healthily, and be useful to their families and society.

Children and grandchildren take their elders to the longevity celebration.

The procession is led by drums, gongs and an octet band.

Starting from 2pm on the 4th day of Tet, the children and grandchildren welcome the elders from their homes to attend the village banquet. The procession is held solemnly and grandly like a big festival. When arriving at the village cultural house, the elders are arranged according to their age, regardless of rich or poor, noble or humble. The oldest is invited to sit on the upper mat. At the banquet, the first thing is that the organizers read a speech praising the elders' contributions to the younger generation and to society, followed by the elders reading poems, reciting parallel sentences, and then there are performances by the children and grandchildren wishing the elders a long life. The banquet usually includes wine, betel and areca nuts, candy, etc. and the tray of food has special dishes for the elders.

Elderly people attend the banquet in Chu Trac village (Hoa Thanh, Yen Thanh).

Children choose to buy banners and parallel sentences to celebrate longevity for their parents and grandparents.

Until now, the longevity celebration is still considered a beautiful custom of many localities, including Hoa Thanh commune (Yen Thanh). According to Ms. Thanh Tu - Deputy Head of the Culture Department of Yen Thanh district, in early spring, villages in Yen Thanh district all organize longevity celebrations for the elderly. This is a beautiful traditional cultural feature for many generations.

Tien Dung