Mid-season Lotus Festival

(baonghean.vn) - I have experienced lotus seasons in many parts of the country, but the vast lotus season with its fragrant blossoms and the star-studded night sky in May in Uncle Ho's homeland left a lasting impression. The 2014 Lotus Village Festival - a festival held in the middle of the lotus season - awakened a sacred space in the hearts of everyone.

Rarely does a festival receive such enthusiastic participation from the general public as the Sen Village Festival held in President Ho Chi Minh's hometown. The atmosphere remains one of eager anticipation, with countless people respectfully attending the festival as an occasion to pay tribute to the beloved leader of the Vietnamese nation. This year, the festival features many innovations compared to previous years, with activities catering to the cultural and recreational needs of the people, receiving enthusiastic responses. From early morning, groups of young people in their green uniforms joined hands to set up beautiful welcoming camps, with many unique activities, creating an attractive playground that drew the attention of many.

A procession carrying a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh at the festival.

Most impressive were the enlarged photographs of President Ho Chi Minh from various historical periods, which evoked strong emotions in the attendees. The most remarkable event was the kite-flying festival on the embankment along the picturesque Lam Giang River. As the sun set, the kites, their wings full of wind, fluttered in the air, their gentle whistles recreating the peaceful childhood of young Nguyen Sinh Cung.

Delegates offered incense and flowers and reported their achievements to Uncle Ho at the 2014 Lotus Village Festival.

It can be said that the people's participation in the festival activities contributed to the success of tonight's event. Hours before the opening ceremony, the anticipation and excitement were evident on the faces of the attendees. Coming from Truong Thi ward, Vinh City, Mrs. Vo Thi Hong Sam, along with her husband, children, and grandchildren, arrived at Lang Sen village very early. She couldn't remember how many times she had visited President Ho Chi Minh's birthplace during the historic month of May, but today, the sacred feelings about President Ho Chi Minh remained intact in her words: "Thinking about Uncle Ho, I feel peaceful and proud to be a citizen of Nghe An province, of Vietnam. Visiting his birthplace and waiting to attend the Lang Sen festival with my family is a great happiness!"

124 outstanding students carried 124 portraits of President Ho Chi Minh from the Kim Lien historical site to the Lang Sen stadium.

The moment thousands of people had been waiting for arrived when the parade of folk art troupes reached the Kim Lien historical site after a flower and incense offering ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Square (Vinh City). Leading the delegation, provincial leaders, heads of provincial departments and agencies, leaders of Nam Dan district, and representatives of the people respectfully offered beautiful flowers and fragrant incense to the spirit of President Ho Chi Minh.

Amidst the stirring ceremonial music, the ceremony continued with a long procession of portraits, featuring 124 outstanding students from Nam Dan district, carrying 124 portraits of President Ho Chi Minh, symbolizing 124 seasons of blooming lotus flowers. Nguyen Thi My Tien, a 9th-grade student from Kim Lien Secondary School, confidently shared: “This is my fourth year participating in the honor guard of Nam Dan district students. I feel honored and proud to be a member of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, a child of President Ho Chi Minh's homeland. I pledge to strive and train myself to be worthy of all these sacred things.”

Delegates attending the opening ceremony.

Over the years, the influence of the Sen Village Festival has grown stronger, becoming an indispensable highlight in the annual celebration of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday on May 19th. Deeply aware of the value of this event, and aiming to make the Sen Village Festival a truly humane and popular festival, while also becoming a brand for Nghe An tourism, many activities have been organized in localities throughout the province. These include the Sen Village Singing Festival at the commune, district, and provincial levels; cultural and artistic activities; sports; kite flying and swinging competitions; film screenings about President Ho Chi Minh; photo exhibitions on the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and his affection for his homeland; and youth camps following President Ho Chi Minh's teachings.

Comrade Dinh Thi Le Thanh beat the drum to officially open the festival.

In particular, this year, the theme of the sea and islands was cleverly integrated into the festival's activities. Many youth camp areas were decorated combining themes of President Ho Chi Minh and the sea and islands, affirming the sacred and inviolable sovereignty of our homeland's sea and islands.

Mr. Thai Van Nong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Dan District, delivered the opening speech.

A reenactment of President Ho Chi Minh visiting his hometown of Nghe An.

On the night of May 17, 2014, immediately after the opening drumbeat sounded by Comrade Dinh Thi Le Thanh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the entire Lang Sen stadium area was immersed in a festive atmosphere with artistic performances praising the glorious Party, the great President Ho Chi Minh, and the changes in the homeland.

The cultural performances at the event.

The youth camp, following Uncle Ho's teachings, cleverly incorporated the theme of the sea and islands.

People learn about President Ho Chi Minh's life and career at the photo exhibition.

Video clip of the 2014 Lotus Village Festival:

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The Lotus Village Festival – a festival held during the lotus season – once again affirms the value and illuminates the great personality of Ho Chi Minh, becoming a highlight in the overall cultural and tourism landscape of Nghe An province.

Phuong Chi - Nguyen Khoa