At the art programme “Sacred roots - the Ancestral Lands of Hung Kings” (Photo: VNA)Phu Tho (VNA) - The art programme “Sacred roots -the Ancestral Lands of Hung Kings” featured a kaleidoscope of stellarperformances at Van Lang park, Viet Tri city, the northern midland province ofPhu Tho on April 20 in commemoration of the Hung Kings, who were believed to be the founders of the Vietnamese country.
Beginning with the songs “Cong duc Vua Hung” (HungKings’ merits), “Linh thieng mot coi tien rong” (the sacred fairy land) and“Loi ru Au Lac” (Au Lac lullaby), the programme featured the images of theDragon Father and Fairy Mother as in the legends, Vietnamese life from theearly days, spring festivals, the worship of the Hung Kings, and the Hung KingsTemple Festival.
Particularly, Xoan singing, a UNESCO-recognisedintangible cultural heritage of humanity, was performed at the programme.
A collection of Ao Dai (traditional long dress) bydesigner Tran Thi Thoa impressed the audience with elegant patterns that tellstories of the Con rong chau tien (Offspring of the Holy Dragon and Fairy Bird)legend. It was expected to make contributions to affirming the value of thetraditional garment as well as popularising Phu Tho province’s tourism andheritage.
The art programme was followed by a high-altitudefirework display to celebrate the Hung Kings Temple Festival 2021.
An incense offering ceremony to the National Mother Au Co (Photo: VNA)According to Vietnamese legend, Lac LongQuan, the son of Kinh Duong Vuong, married Au Co, the daughter of King De Lai.Au Co then gave birth to a sack containing 100 eggs from which 100 childrenwere born.
The couple then decided to separate in order topopulate the land. Half of the children followed their mother to the highlands,while the rest went with their father to the sea.
The first child went with his mother Au Co toPhong Chau, now Phu Tho province. He then became the first Hung King andfounded Van Lang, the first recorded state in the history of Vietnam.
Ruling the country for 18 generations, the HungKings taught the people how to grow wet rice. They chose Nghia Linh Mountain,the highest in the region, to perform rituals devoted to rice and sun deitiesto pray for lush crops.
The annual Hung Kings Memorial Festivalor Hung Kings Temple Festival falls on the 10th day of the third lunarmonth./.
VNA
