Celebrating the longevity of the elderly - The beauty of filial piety

(Baonghean.vn)- Every time Tet comes, spring comes, along with organizing traditional festivals to enrich spiritual life, longevity celebrations for the elderly are also solemnly held in many places. The custom of celebrating longevity for the elderly, grandparents, parents, and relatives is a beautiful feature of filial piety, imbued with humanity. Because it shows respect, filial piety as well as the morality of "Respect the elderly, the elderly leave the young to us".

This spring, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Huan (Block 10, Dung town, Thanh Chuong) turned 100 years old. He was very happy because the leaders of the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, the Provincial and local Elderly Association representatives came to his house to encourage him, give him gifts, and wish him a long life. Even happier, more than 60 of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren from the South and the North all gathered together this Tet. He emotionally said: “Living this long is considered a long life. That is a great blessing that I have enjoyed. My children are all grown up, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren are studying well, which is a great happiness. In particular, my children are all filial and know how to “respect their elders and give way to their juniors”. Every day, my children are busy, I arrange my own schedule, try to practice physical exercises, take care of my health, play chess to train my mind, and keep myself alert so as not to bother my children and grandchildren...”

Longevity celebration for Mrs. Nguyen Thi Luu (Hamlet 2, Thanh Tuong)

This Tet, the Elderly Association of Hamlet 2, Thanh Tuong Commune (Thanh Chuong) has 7 elders with even ages. On the morning of the 4th day of Tet, the hamlet invited the elders to the communal hall to participate in the longevity celebration. The elders listened to the longevity wishes of local leaders, received longevity certificates from the Vietnam Elderly Association and the association organized the awarding of "Exemplary Elderly" certificates to exemplary elders. On this occasion, the Elderly Association called on children and grandchildren to contribute to the "Supporting Grandparents and Parents" fund to serve activities such as: visiting the elders when they are sick; helping the elders in difficult circumstances and organizing longevity celebrations for the elders at the beginning of Spring. In response to the noble sentiments of the locality and their children and grandchildren, the elders also voluntarily contributed candy, cakes, tea... to share the joy. Mr. Nguyen Huu Than, whose mother Nguyen Thi Hong is 80 years old this year, said: "Organizing a collective longevity celebration for the elderly like this is really fun and warm. This is an opportunity for children and grandchildren to show their filial piety to their parents, so they support the fund "supporting grandparents and parents"..." He himself, in addition to volunteering to contribute 500,000 VND to the association's fund, buying cakes, candies, betel and areca nuts to celebrate longevity, also gave 7 elderly people in the neighborhood 100,000 VND each.

On the 5th day of Tet, the headquarters of the People's Committee of Hung Dong commune (Vinh city) was brightly decorated with flags and flowers, bustling with people coming and going. Today, the local government organized a longevity celebration for the elderly with even ages. The longevity celebration was chaired by the association of the elderly and participated by mass organizations. In addition to preparing gifts, the association of the elderly and all levels, sectors and localities had plans and scenarios to organize a solemn longevity celebration with the family. The performing arts team of the residential area was mobilized to serve the ceremony; children and grandchildren gave the elderly silk shirts, red turbans, and wishes for longevity. All brought warm feelings, encouraging the elderly to live "happily, healthily, and usefully".

Hamlet 2, Thanh Tuong organizes a longevity celebration for the elderly.

During the Lunar New Year of Quy Ty 2013, the whole province had 37,919 elderly people who were eligible to receive longevity gifts with a total amount of over 7 billion 547 million VND. Of which, those who turned 100 years old were given 5m of silk fabric and 500 thousand VND, those who turned 85, 90, 95 years old were given 300 thousand VND, those who turned 70, 75, 80 years old were given 200 thousand VND. In addition, the whole province (19/20 units) had 38 outstanding elderly people who were given gifts of 1 million VND each.

The longevity celebration is considered a traditional ritual in the folk, showing the respect and filial piety of children and grandchildren towards the elderly. These are practical activities and deeds to encourage the elderly to live happily, healthily, usefully, continue to contribute their efforts and become examples of educating their children and grandchildren to comply with the policies and laws of the Party and the State. However, some families organize lavishly, longevity parties with up to hundreds of trays, causing waste and expense. It is thought that, like weddings and funerals, the organization of longevity celebrations also needs to follow the new cultural lifestyle in residential areas, ensuring solemnity, thrift, joy, without ostentation or formality.

Article and photos: Duy Nam