(Baonghean.vn) -On February 20-21, 2014 (corresponding to the 21st and 22nd days of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse), the Van-Cua Rao Temple Festival took place in Xa Luong commune (Tuong Duong district).
This is an occasion for the people to commemorate the contributions of Doan Nhu Hai, a military commander of the Tran Dynasty who played a key role in repelling the Lao invaders and securing the borders. In a fierce battle near the confluence of three rivers, Doan Nhu Hai and many soldiers bravely commanded, fought, and heroically sacrificed themselves. To remember the contributions of this military commander and the soldiers of the Tran Dynasty, the people erected a temple at the confluence of the Nam Non and Nam Mo rivers, where the poetic Lam River, a cultural symbol of Nghe An province, meets. The Van-Cua Rao Temple also worships the Three Holy Mothers. The temple was recognized as a Historical and Cultural Relic by the Provincial People's Committee in 2009.
This year's Van-Cua Rao Temple Festival was solemn and sacred, featuring the opening ceremony, announcement, sacrificial rites, and thanksgiving ceremony. The festival part was lively with activities such as camping, cultural and artistic exchanges, ethnic costume competitions, Thai Lai Pao script writing competitions, and traditional sports and games reflecting the region's cultural identity (stick pushing, cockfighting, crossbow shooting, and throwing the ball).
Here are some photos taken by reporters at the festival:
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| Opening performance of the festival. |
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| Mr. Luong Thanh Hai, Provincial Party Committee member and Secretary of the Tuong Duong District Party Committee, beat the drum to officially open the festival. |
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| Procession |
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| Praying for peace and prosperity for the nation, and favorable weather conditions. |
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| Offering sacrifices to the deities. |
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| A large number of locals and tourists flocked to Cua Rao to attend the festival. |
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| Stick pushing competition |
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| Throwing the ball |
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| Swinging on a swing at the festival. |
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| "Say it" to the rhythm of the gongs and drums. |
Cong Kien
