Thousands of people from many countries flocked to the coastal city of Larmor-Plage to attend the Vietnam Festival held here for the first time.
From June 30 to July 2, in Larmor-Plage city, Morbihan region (France), the Vietnam Festival event was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-France diplomatic relations.
Within the framework of the Toucher Arts project and the Vietnam Month in Larmor-Plage, the Vietnam Festival is organized by the Larmor-Plage City Hall, in collaboration with three associations: ART SPACE, Vietnam Bretagne Sud and APPEL Lorient.
 |
| The program was organized with the participation of 25 students from all over the world. |
This is the first time the city of Larmor-Plage has hosted a major event related to Vietnam, including a series of large-scale activities taking place at the Salles des Algues exhibition center.
Attending the event were Mayor of Larmor-Plage Patrice Valton; Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang; Deputy Mayor in charge of Culture Réjine Le Normand; the first female politician of Vietnamese origin elected to the French National Assembly Stéphanie Do...
International cultural connection and exchange
The festival is not only an opportunity to introduce the culture, country and people of Vietnam but also an event connecting the Vietnamese community living around the world to promote the homeland culture to international friends. In particular, 25 Vietnamese students from the US, UK, Australia, France and Vietnam aged 12-20 years old participated in the program.
Attending the Vietnam Festival, all French people were given a Vietnamese ao dai, carefully packaged with a message from the giver and sent from all over the world to France.
This is the result of the campaign “2LIFE AO DAI” (Second Life Ao Dai) with the desire to revive and bring a brilliant second life to used Ao Dai, by giving them to French friends as a gift of human value.
In return, when receiving the ao dai, they only need to donate a voluntary amount to the project's fund to help four orphanages and disabled children in the three regions of North, Central and South Vietnam.
It is known that the Vietnamese community in many countries such as the US, France, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Korea, Japan and Vietnam have connected to join forces to mobilize more than 500 Ao Dai to send to France. Hundreds of Ao Dai have traveled tens of thousands of kilometers across many oceans before landing in the city of Larmor-Plage, thanks to the support of dozens of volunteers around the world.
International friends are eager to explore Vietnamese culture
At Festival Vietnam, creative workshops to promote traditional Vietnamese culture are constantly held such as: bamboo tray decoration workshop and through that learning about traditional Tet holiday; Dong Ho painting workshop on wind paper; calligraphy workshop with experience using brush pen and Chinese ink; Q&A workshop on Vietnamese cultural knowledge and receiving interesting gifts such as lucky money envelopes with Vietnamese money, bamboo dragonflies...
 |
| French children and their parents are passionate about discovering Vietnamese culture. |
In addition, an exhibition displays nearly 200 paintings selected from more than 400 paintings by Vietnamese children from nearly 20 countries and international children sent in response to the event of 50 years of Vietnam-France diplomatic relations.
On this occasion, young artist Thao Nguyen also introduced the photo collection “Dreamy Hoi An” with colorful photos of a poetic and romantic Hoi An with a blend of traditional and modern values.
In particular, more than 10 stalls introducing Vietnamese street foods such as: bread, beef noodle soup, dumplings, salty sticky rice, spring rolls, rice cakes, pork skin cakes, three-color sweet soup, milk tea, etc. attracted a large number of people to come and enjoy. French friends constantly expressed their interest in Vietnamese cuisine.
With the theme of customs, more than 100 international students and French friends in national costumes paraded together to introduce traditional weddings and traditional Vietnamese New Year.
Here, international friends have the opportunity to learn more about wedding customs, bride request, tray carrying, and introduction to the officials of both families. In addition, the parade also recreates special images of Tet such as Ong Cong Ong Tao, giving lucky money envelopes, etc.
Not only that, on the evening of July 1, more than 50 amateur artists participated in the concert “Toucher Arts - Les Traditions et Légendes du Vietnam” (Touching Traditions and Legends) to introduce to the audience the beauty of Vietnamese music.
The concert brought to the French audience a fresh breeze of contemporary Vietnamese folk music, through works such as Moi Trau, Doan Xuan Ca, Duyen Am, Gieo Que ...
In particular, the program also had the participation of young Vietnamese people born and raised in France as well as international students from many countries in special performances such as performing traditional musical instruments, singing, traditional dancing... Belgian designer of Vietnamese origin Ella Phan also presented the program with her collection of Ao Dai with her dedicated designs.
Good echoes
Attending the event, Mayor of Larmor-Plage Patrice Valton said he was very happy and optimistic about the cooperation being established between Larmor-Plage and a number of cities in Vietnam.
 |
| Parade promoting Vietnamese culture in downtown Larmor-Plage. |
On behalf of the city, Mr. Patrice Valton is proud to have brought the people of Larmor-Plage the opportunity to explore a diverse and rich culture like Vietnam, especially within the framework of the event of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France.
Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang also expressed his emotion when witnessing the image of Vietnamese culture being widely spread and warmly received by the French people.
According to the Ambassador, the three associations (ART SPACE, Vietnam Bretagne Sud and APPEL Lorient) have been very successful in strengthening the connection and cultural exchange between the two countries, as well as promoting the beautiful image of Vietnam to French friends.
Sharing about the event, Ms. Stephanie Do - Member of the French National Assembly for the 15th Seine-et-Marne region said: “I have participated in many performances by the Vietnamese community in France, but this is the most special event. Young people of Vietnamese origin from all over the world have promoted Vietnamese culture in an enthusiastic, lively and creative way. You make me feel truly proud”.
Ms. Marie Francelome, who is living in Larmor-Plage, also shared: “Before, I did not know much about Vietnam. Thanks to your event, I learned many interesting things about your culture. Your event made me want to visit the beautiful country of Vietnam.”
Representative of the Organizing Committee, Ms. Thuy Kernen, said: “This is the first time a major event related to Vietnam has been held in the coastal city of Larmor-Plage and received great attention from the people.
In just two days, the festival welcomed more than a thousand people to learn about Vietnamese culture. We are very proud to contribute a small part to spreading the image of Vietnam to international friends."
Some outstanding images at Festival Vietnam:
 |
| Reception ceremony for Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang at Larmor-Plage city hall. |
 |
 |
 |
Source
Comment (0)