Lim Festival
In 2014, I had chance to visit Lim Festival, a traditional festival in Vietnam where the famous Quan Ho folk songs are performed. This special festival was held on the thirteenth day of the first lunar month by local residents in Lim village, Bac Ninh province, Vietnam. Coming here on the festive days, I and thousands of visitors enjoyed the singing of traditional love duets (Quan Ho fork songs) performed by “lien anh” and “lien chi” (male and female Quan Ho singers) behind Lim pagoda, in Lim hill and on dragon boats on Lim rivers. Those singers wore traditional costumes and sang songs in pairs. There were strict rules for their performance in which the singers had to not only react quickly but also have a good understanding of traditional tunes as well as the historical and cultural features of the songs. Like other religious festivals, the Lim Festival went through all ritual stages, from the procession to the worshipping ceremony and other activities. I also watched a weaving competition among the village girls who wove and sang Quan Ho simultaneously. Other traditional games such as human chess-playing, cockfighting contest, rice-cooking contest, tug of war and wrestling were also held. Visiting this festival is a memorable experience to me.
Indian Festival
The Milwaukee Native American Indian Festival is truly and amazing event. For three days in September every year, thousands gather in Milwaukee, USA, to celebrate Indian culture. Last year, I was lucky enough to attend the festival and experience it for myself.
The preparations take months. Dance teams from all over the country practise to compete in the tribal Pow Wow dance contest. Indian craftsmen work to produce the many traditional items on display. Then, in the week before the festival, the stalls are put up and the food is prepared, so that everything will be ready for the big day.
The celebrations began at 4pm and there was plenty to see and do. I visited a traditional Indian village, watched skilled craftsmen carve totem poles, and even learned how to do tribal Indian dancing. It was also a great opportunity to sample some traditional native dishes, like corn bread and buffalo burgers.
The festival was fun, entertaining and educational. It was a wonderful way to learn about Native American culture and celebrate the end of summer.
Tet is a national and family festival. It is an occasion for every Vietnamese to have a good time while thinking about the last year and the next year. At Tet, spring fairs are organized, streets and public buildings are brightly decorated and almost all shops are crowded with people shopping for Tet. At home, every is tidied, special food is cooked,offerings of food, fresh water, flowers and betel are made on the family altar with burning joss- sticks scenting the air. First-footing is made when the lucky visitor comes and children are given lucky money wrapped in a red tiny envelope. Tet is also a time for peace and love. During Tet, children often behave well and friends, relatives and neighbors give each other best wishes for the new year
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Mid Autumn Festival
Mid Autumn is a special Festival in some countries of Asia in general and VietNam in particular. In fact, Mid Autumn is festival which intended for children. In VietNam, this festival springs from legend : The moon and a kid. The legend explains how the moon is shinest in mid autumn and why people see a banian tree and a kid on the moon. The moon is called Sister Moon and the kid is Cuoi.
Mid Autumn begins from 14 to 15 August, in Vietnamese lunar calendar. In these day, children are going to pick the lantern up and go around streets or towns. Children will be given gifts such as pie, candy, star lantern... They will be seen lion dance or musical concert. Almost children are really into seeing lion dance and follow it that go everywhere. Some children bring a small torch that includes oil and rag to burn. And others bring clarinet and drum to make the festival more eventful.
However, mid autumn festival is also festival for business. The streets have many stores that sale pie, cake. This is occasion that many people present cake each other. Pie mid autumn is a kind of special cake that is only in mid autumn festival. There are many kind of pies such as soft cake, pie with egg , hog pie, croissant… The Pie mid autumn have special taste. It is sweet smeeling and very delicious. Almost VietNamese people love pie mid autumn and buy it for family.
Mid Autumn became a tradition festival in VietNam. It is a part of Vietnamese culture. Anyone who grown up in VietNam, is regular knowing and joining in this festival.
