 |
|
Nine big drums are expected to make the event more bustling. Photo H.T |
The 220th anniversary of Ngoc Hoi – Dong Da victory (1789-2009) was scheduled to take place on the 4th and 5th days of the first lunar month at Quang Trung Museum, Tay Son District. The festival’s director Le Quy Duong talked more about the preparation.
Could you reveal the main theme of the event?
I want the origin of Tay Son spirit to come back to all visitors. I expect to create a spiritual and solemn atmosphere in which each will have the feeling that they are on a journey to the origin when going in and imbued with the spirit of heroes in plain clothing under the King Quang Trung’s leadership on going out.
What are the new of this year’s festival?
Under the music background will be the flower and incense offering ceremony. The background is expected to bring people the solemn, familiar but imposing feeling. Also, there will be the “enthronement proclamation” by Nguyen Hue.
With 100 drums and 100 soldiers lined in two rows from the bridge to the Tay Son tam kiet shrine, I want to convey the message saying that Tay Son is the heroes’ birthplace. Participants will disguise as Tay Son soldiers and generals, standing motionless with weapons in their hands, let alone nine big drums symbolizing nine generals under Tay Son dynasty.
The arrangement art themed “Coi nguon” (the origin) is the new in the event. What do you expect from it?
The idea flashed through my mind when I saw the foot of tamarind tree and the well in the shrine. They symbolize the origin of heroic spirit. There is a saying that “Cay co coi, nuoc co nguon” (tree has its root, water has its source). The tamarind tree and well are the root and source respectively. Anyone visiting the museum want to come back to the origin of Tay Son spirit; therefore, I want to create a journey to the origin.
Each entering the gate of the museum will burn incense in the shrine; they will then come to the tamarind tree before taking a drink at the well if they want. Sitting under the foot of the tree, drinking water from the well, and listening to the sound of Tay Son’s wardrums are expected to help visitors feel the Tay Son’s spirit.
How about the preparation for the festival?
At present, we are almost ready for all programs. The musicians Hoang Hai, Gia Thien, and Khac Hung will be in charge of the music and drums. Hoang Viet, Thu Huong, and Nhat Huy are choreographers. 440 high-school students, 100 martial arts students, and the others will participate in the performance. The dress rehearsal was planned to take place on the 4th day of the first lunar month.
| 
