Sacred opening ceremony

(Baonghean.vn) -On the morning of February 3 (January 7), at Tru Phap communal house, My Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district and villageThach Dong, Quynh Thach commune, Quynh Luu districtsolemnly held the opening ceremony of the spring of Dinh Dau 2017.

Tru Phap Communal House worships the village's tutelary god Cao Son, Cao Cac and other gods who contributed to the establishment of Trang Ke village in the past. This is one of the large communal houses of Yen Thanh district, built in the 18th century. It was restored in the early 20th century, so to this day, the Nguyen Dynasty architecture of Tru Phap Communal House is still almost intact. This is a meeting place and place for religious activities of the village, a witness to many historical events in the locality, and was recognized by the State as a National Historical Relic in 2015.

Mr. Nguyen Vinh Hoi - Secretary of the Party Committee of My Thanh commune beat the drum to open the ceremony. Photo: Huy Thu

After many years of being lost, the opening ceremony at the communal house was restored by the cadres and people of My Thanh commune in 2016. The opening ceremony of Tru Phap communal house in the spring of Dinh Dau 2017 was solemnly held with full rituals of offering offerings (incense, flowers, fruits, meat), worshiping, offering incense, burning votive papers, etc. The Chairman of My Thanh commune People's Committee personally presided over the ceremony. Many local people and tourists attended the ceremony.

The opening ceremony is conducted through many rituals. Photo: Huy Thu

At the ceremony, the organizers called on people to promote their hometown traditions and continue to join hands to protect and embellish the relics to make them more and more beautiful.

Reading the funeral oration at the opening ceremony. Photo: Huy Thu

The restoration of the opening ceremony at Tru Phap communal house is a continuation, preservation and promotion of the cultural tradition of the ancient Trang Ke village, to express respect and gratitude to the gods and predecessors in the founding of the village, and at the same time pray for a new year of favorable weather, good crops, and a prosperous and happy life for the people. The opening ceremony (lowering the flagpole) is a beautiful feature in the Vietnamese cultural tradition.

Huy Thu

*Villagers' opening ceremonyThach Dong, Quynh Thach commune, Quynh Luu districtstarting from the evening of the 6th to the end of the 7th of January. According to local customs, every evening of the 6th, people as well as children working far away return to the village temple to attend the opening ceremony.

The festival is held solemnly and dignifiedly to send the gods to heaven and pray for a year of favorable weather and bountiful crops.

Prayer ritual at the opening ceremony. Photo: Hoang Hai.

After the ceremony, people offer incense and pray for a new year of health, peace, happiness, success in their children's studies, and good luck in business.

In addition to the peace-praying ceremony, people also donate to restore the village communal house.

Mr. Nguyen Sy Luc - Vice Chairman of Quynh Thach Commune said: "Thach Dong Village has 21 clans, living together in hamlets 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and hamlet 8. The opening ceremony has been associated with the spiritual life of the people here for hundreds of years. Every year on this day, people as well as children working far away from home return to burn incense and pray for a peaceful and lucky new year."

Hoang Hai