The 'sacred realm' of Nghe An radiates gratitude
(Baonghean.vn) - At the end of July, the center of Anh Son district, Nghe An province is more crowded and bustling than usual. The streets are decorated with flags, the Vietnamese and Lao national flags fluttering in the wind. There are more buses arriving and departing… All are heading towards the common destination, the Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs Cemetery, where the “When drinking water, remember its source” festival takes place.
Gratitude source
The grounds of the Vietnam - Laos International Martyrs Cemetery are splendidly decorated in a variety of colors, each grave is decorated with a national flag of the two countries and fresh flowers like the love of the land and people. The paths are always clean and beautiful, the incense smoke blends with the fragrance of flowers, adding to the sacredness of the festival space. The flow of people returningoffer flowers, offering incense and visiting martyrs' graves in increasing numbers, including all levels, sectors, agencies, units, martyrs' relatives and people in the region.
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People and tourists visit the Vietnam - Laos Cemetery to attend the "Drinking water, remember its source" festival. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
According to the Cemetery Management Board, every day there are hundreds of groups of visitors coming to offer flowers, make offerings and burn incense, not to mention thousands of people coming from all over the country. On this occasion, everyone wants to offer incense to the souls of the heroes and martyrs who did not care about their blood and bones, sacrificing for a peaceful and independent life...
Ms. Tran Thi Thu - a resident of Thach Son commune (Anh Son) confided: "Coming to the Vietnam - Laos International Martyrs Cemetery during the "Drinking water, remember its source" festival, I was deeply moved by the sincere and heartfelt respect and deep gratitude for the sacrifices of the martyrs.Hero, martyr. Therefore, on this occasion, I often bring my children here to offer incense, thereby educating the nation's morality of "Repaying gratitude".
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Youth Union members of Anh Son district offer incense at the graves of martyrs at the Vietnam - Laos Cemetery. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
The crowd of people coming to the Vietnam - Laos International Martyrs Cemetery included many relatives of the martyrs who are resting here. Coming here on the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day and the “When drinking water, remember its source” festival, in front of the sacred space, many people could not contain their emotions.
Mr. Nguyen Ba Vien (born in 1942) in Van Phuc, Ha Dong (Hanoi) had a friend of the same age as Trieu Quang Tuong, who died in 1971 in Laos. Through the unit and the gathering group, he learned about the partmartyr's graveTuong was exhumed here and is among the graves of martyrs with "unknown names".
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Mr. Nguyen Ba Vien in Van Phuc, Ha Dong (Hanoi) offers incense at the grave of an unknown martyr. Photo: Cong Kien |
For decades now, on the occasion of the “Drinking water, remember its source” festival, Mr. Vien has prepared incense offerings to burn incense. Not knowing where his friend’s grave was, he stood and prayed in all four directions, then lit incense for each “unknown” grave in turn, hoping that good luck would come when he lit the right one for his friend’s grave.
“Although I have not yet identified the grave of my childhood friend, every time I visit the cemetery, I feel truly reassured to see that all the graves are well taken care of. I would like to thank the caretakers and the people of Anh Son district and Nghe An for representing the people of the whole country in wholeheartedly taking care of the souls of the martyrs resting here!”
Mr. Nguyen Ba Vien - Van Phuc, Ha Dong (Hanoi).
Also traveling more than 400 km, Miss Hanoi Vu Thu Tra My came to the Western land of Nghe An to offer flowers and incense atCemeteryVietnam - Laos International Martyrs' Cemetery. For many years, she had heard many stories about the large martyrs' cemetery and the meaningful festival held on July 27 every year.
Miss Hanoi shared: “Coming here, I am deeply moved by everyone’s heart towards the martyrs. From the elderly to the children, everyone came and respectfully offered incense. The authorities at all levels have made great efforts in organizing the festival to commemorate those who died for the Fatherland…”.
In the flow of gratitude, at the festival, everyone respectfully offered flowers and incense in memory.President Ho Chi Minhand heroes and martyrs. This is an opportunity for the Party, the State and all people to continue to express their gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives for the noble international duty, for the happiness of the people of Vietnam and Laos.
Thereby, promoting patriotism, respect for morality, filial piety, consolidating and fostering faith in the cause that the Party, Uncle Ho and the people have chosen.
Forever resounding "The immortal epic"
This year's "Drinking water, remember its source" festival is organized at the provincial level, the main location is at the Vietnam - Laos International Martyrs Cemetery and Anh Son District Stadium, jointly organized by Nghe An Provincial People's Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The festival takes place from July 23 to 27 with many rituals such as the opening ceremony, proclamation, memorial and candle lighting ceremony, prayer ceremony, thanksgiving ceremony and cultural and sports exchange activities, display of cultural and culinary products and visits to relics and scenic spots in the area.Anh Son district.
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At the grave of a relative at the Vietnam - Laos Cemetery. Photo: Cong Kien |
Tens of thousands of candles, flowers and incense sticks were offered by Buddhists and people from all over the country to express gratitude and repay kindness, demonstrating the nation's morality of "When drinking water, remember its source".
Coming from Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Nguyen Huong Quynh said: "Following a group of Buddhists from the city named after Uncle Ho to attend the "Drinking water, remembering its source" festival, honestly this is the first time I have witnessed a large-scale memorial ceremony for heroes and martyrs like today. And this is also the first time I have seen thousands of people offering incense at the martyrs' monument with all their sincerity and gratitude, seeing nearly 11,000 candles lit for nearly 11,000 graves, creating a magical and sacred space."
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Requiem for Heroes and Martyrs at the Vietnam - Laos Cemetery. Photo: Cong Kien |
One of the highlights of the Festival“Drink water remember the source”This year is the Art Program “Immortal Epic” co-organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Nghe An province. The Art Program consists of 3 chapters: “Immortal Epic”, “Immortal Warriors” and “Aspiration for the Country”. Through that, it recreates the difficult and arduous life of the people, compatriots and the scene of the country devastated by war and bombs.
In times of hardship and danger, the spirit of patriotism and revolution flared up into a fighting flame, destroying the invaders and regaining independence and peace for the Fatherland. From there, it nurtured the aspiration to rise up in the integration process, standing shoulder to shoulder with friends from all over the world as in life.Uncle Hoalways wish
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Nearly 11,000 graves at the Vietnam - Laos Cemetery were lit with candles of gratitude. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
“The activities at the “Drinking water, remember its source” Festival are truly practical in propagating, educating and promoting the fine traditions and ethics of “Drinking water, remember its source”, “Repaying gratitude” of the nation. At the same time, the Festival also carries a strong cultural identity, leaving a profound and sacred impression, creating a good impression in traditional moral education, attracting a large number of people and tourists to participate…”.
Mr. Bui Cong Vinh - Deputy Director of Department of Culture and Sports