Festival to open with a gong

The five-day celebration will showcase the traditional cultures of the Central Highlands’ 20 ethnic groups.

The Gong festival of the Central Highlands will run from November 21-24, Lu Ngoc Cu, chairman of People’s Committee of Dac Lac Province, said on Thursday.

The chairman, who is also head of the steering board for the festival said Tay Nguyen Gong Culture, An Eternal Talk from High Mountains, will be the biggest festival of the region, showcasing the traditional cultures of the 20 ethnic groups in the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands).

The festival will kick off with a special drama featuring music ranging from the traditional music of ancient villagers to more current lyrical music of the region.

The opening performance is billed as a dialogue between traditional music and academic musicians who research the gong dances and melodies.

During the festival, regional rock bands will play at the Dac Lac Museum, where spectators can also enjoy the new display of gongs and other traditional musical instruments as well as folk art exhibitions.

At Buon Ma Thuot Square, Tay Nguyen University and Ko Dhong Village, street festivals will be held with small stage performances, handicraft making, traditional games and elephant parades.

The festival is organised to honour the ancient Tay Nguyen gong culture after it was recognised as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005. It aims to call on all communities to preserve the traditions of the Central Highlands people.

"It is a good opportunity for the public to gain a better understanding of the Tay Nguyen culture, and a good way for residents to promote tourism in the region," Cu said.

Cu said main sponsors of the VND15 billion event include the Dac Lac Rubber Company, the Tan Hoang Thang Joint Stock Company and the MC9 Communications Company.

Source:VNS