A unique exhibition displaying veteran
photographer Van Tho's collection of 100 photos of the Giong Festival
has opened at the Phu Dong Temple, in Gia Lam district on the
outskirts of Hanoi.
The photos document the dances
and worshipping ceremonies as well as the domestic and foreign officials
that attend the festival and even the festival preparations.
All of the photos are in colour except for the artist's first image taken in 1970.
"I cannot count the number of photographs I've taken of the annual
festival," Tho said since 1970, "I have selected the 100 best as my gift
to celebrate the recognition of the festival as an intangible cultural
heritage by UNESCO."
The artist was born in 1943 in Phu
Dong Village himself. At the age of seven, he played a soldier in
Saint Giong's 90-soldier team in the festival. He recalled falling into
the pond in front of the temple and racing home to dry his clothes so
that he could finish his role in the event.
"Taking part in the festival is a great honour," he said, "That's why the villagers have happily made contributions."
After the exhibition, Tho plans to build a house in which to store his works and memories of the festival.
"If the project is approved [by local authorities], I will select
quintessential photos of the festival by many photographers for
display," Tho said.
"The exhibits may also include small
models of objects used at the festival so that visitors to the temple
can learn how the festival is organised, what it symbolises and what
activities take place. They can also practise the traditional dances if
they want."
A ceremony was held at the temple on Jan.22 by
the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Hanoi Municipal
People's Committee and the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO to
bestow the UNESCO Certification recognising the Saint Giong Festival as a
world intangible heritage.
The festival was the third
element of Hanoi's heritage recognised by UNESCO in last year, joining
the 82 doctoral stone steles in the Temple of Literature and
relics of the Thang Long Royal Citadel.
The festival is
dedicated to Saint Giong, born in Phu Dong village in the reign
of King Hung VI. According to legend, he was a man of great strength who
fought the northern invaders. After his victory, he flew back to heaven
on his iron horse over Soc Mountain, which locates in today's Soc
Son district.
There are many festivals held in the
northern region to honour Saint Giong. The most popular are the ones in
Phu Dong Village in Gia Lam district and Soc village in Soc
Son district.
The event in Phu Dong is annually held on
the ninth day of the fourth lunar month and in Soc Son, on the sixth day
of the first lunar month./.
