This year’s festival is to mark the 1,042 nd year since Dinh Bo Linhdefeated 12 warlords to unite the country, made himself king and namedthe country Dai Co Viet as well as the 1,000 th anniversary of ThangLong-Hanoi.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Ninh Binhprovincial People’s Committee Bui Van Thang highlighted theaccomplishments of Kings Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Dai Hanh and Ly Thai To,who founded strong dynasties fostering long-term independence for thenation.
In the opening night, the provincial Cheo (traditional opera) theatrestaged a Hoa Lu festive drum performance which took aspiration from amagnificent period in the nation’s history.
A special art performance directed by People’s Artist Pham Thi Thanhprovided the audience an insight of the glorious historical period ofthe Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, endedwith the moving of the capital to Thang Long (now Hanoi ) by King LyThai To.
On the morning of April 18, the festival’s organising board held afire parade from the Dinh King’s Temple in Gia Phuong commune, GiaVien district – the birthplace of King Dinh Tien Hoang – to the Hoa LuAncient Capital, a water parade from the Hoang Long River and apalanquin parade by 24 local delegations.
During the four-day festival, there will be many cultural and sportsactivities, including music and water puppetry performances, wrestling,volleyball, human chess, tug of war and walking on stilts.
From now until the grand celebration of Thang Long-Hanoi, Ninh Binhprovince will implement a number of works of historical significancesuch as dredging the Sao Khe River , the waterway which King LyThai To used to travel to Thang Long-Hanoi.
Traffic routes to the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital relic, the Trang Anecotourism area, the Bai Dinh Pagoda and the statue of King Le Dai Hanhwill be built./.