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.
Cultural festivals in Japan are annual open day events held by most schools, from nursery schools to universities at which their students display their artistic achievements. People who want to enter the school themselves or who are interested in the school may come to see what the schoolwork and atmosphere are like. Parents may also want to see what kind of work their children have been doing. The festivals are usually open to the public, especially at high schools and universities.
Festivals are held to display the students' learning, but many people visit a festival as a recreational diversion. Alumni often take the opportunity to visit schools they once attended. Food is served, and often classrooms or gymnasiums are transformed into temporary restaurants or cafés. Dances, concerts and plays may be performed by individual volunteers or by various school clubs, such as the dance club, the orchestra club, the band club, and the drama club.
Cultural festivals are intended to be a fun event, but are also the only opportunity each year for students to see what life is like in other schools. They are also intended to enrich people's lives by increasing social interaction and fostering community ties.
Cultural festivals are frequently depicted in anime and manga.
More people like this festival very much.
