7:00 a.m. this morning, June 29, at the northern bank of the special national monument of Hien Luong - Ben Hai, Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, Thanh Nien Newspaper organized the inaugural cycling festival for peace , opening a series of events for the first time, the Peace Festival, held on a national and international scale in the sacred land of Quang Tri.
Hien Luong - Ben Hai banks are bright with flags and flowers on the opening day of the Cycling Festival for Peace
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Hoang Nam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, affirmed: "Vietnam is a peace-loving country. The history of thousands of years of building and defending the country has proven that. More than anyone else, the Vietnamese people clearly recognize the value of peace. Therefore, we hope that each person present at the Cycling Day for Peace event will be a messenger for peace, conveying the desire for peace of the Vietnamese people in general and the people of Quang Tri in particular in the struggles for peace; building a message towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous world".
Under the shadow of the sacred national flag, journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, emphasized that over the years, the sport of cycling has developed strongly, but a large-scale tournament has not been organized in this land. That is also the reason why the idea of "Cycling for Peace Day" was born.
But more than that, the Organizing Committee also hopes that the festival will honor the values of peace, remembrance, and gratitude; be an opportunity to introduce some typical historical relics and introduce and promote the image, culture, land, and people of Quang Tri to people across the country and abroad.
Cycling for Peace: Sacred moment of incense offering at Truong Son National Cemetery
600 athletes gathered at the foot of Hien Luong - Ben Hai flagpole
Mr. Hoang Nam, Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, hopes that each person present at the Cycling Day for Peace event will be an ambassador for peace.
INDEPENDENCE
Journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, spoke at the opening ceremony.
"Your presence here today proves the appeal and charm of the Cycling for Peace Festival, which is a joy for those of us who work in the organization, Quang Tri province and the sponsors. We hope that the peaceful cycles will continue to rotate, sending out strong messages of peace, for the desire for everlasting peace, so that humanity can live in prosperity, peace and happiness...", emphasized journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan.
The traditional flag of the Cycling Day for Peace was raised strongly under the national flag at Hien Luong - Ben Hai flagpole.
With those expectations, when the bicycles of the cycling parade roll this morning, June 29, it is also the time when the ideas and messages of peace that the Organizing Committee wants to convey will be integrated and expressed through each destination and each activity at the destinations.
Delegates and young people standing on Hien Luong (old) to welcome the athletes
Young people spread their dove wings, sending their wishes for peace
In particular, the 17th parallel - Hien Luong bridge - Ben Hai river, the opening place of the event, is the place that marks the pain of the country's division for more than 20 years (1954 - 1975). This is not only a place of gratitude but also an embodiment, a place where the aspirations for peace and national unity converge, worthy of being the starting point for the Cycling Festival for Peace.
Here, as the parade of 600 athletes passed through the old Hien Luong Bridge, children tossed doves, while delegates released balloons into the blue sky, praying for peace.
Below are some images Thanh Nien reporters recorded in the first part of the parade event:
Athletes sing the national anthem under the flagpole
Athletes parade across the old Hien Luong bridge
Athletes show confidence at the start of the 42km parade event
The parade route of the athletes lasted 42 km.
Local people "waiting" for the bicycle convoy
The parade passes through rice fields in the countryside of Quang Tri.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khai-hoi-dap-xe-vi-hoa-binh-185240629085328469.htm
Comment (0)