On July 6, Quang Tri organized the Peace Festival for the first time in 2024.

On the morning of May 31, in Hanoi, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province held an international press conference to inform about the 2024 Peace Festival with the theme "Joining hands to build a peaceful world ".

Ngày 6/7, Quảng Trị lần đầu tiên tổ chức Lễ hội Vì Hòa bình năm 2024

Mr. Vo Van Hung, Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee emphasized that this is the first time the Festival For Peace is organized. (Photo: Anh Son)

This is the first festival with the message of Peace held in Quang Tri and Vietnam to honor the value of peace, pay tribute to heroic martyrs, commemorate war victims; contribute to enhancing the position and image of the country and people of Vietnam; build Quang Tri into a cultural space for Peace, a destination for peace, a meeting place for peace-loving friends from all over the world.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Vo Van Hung, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, said that in the context of the current world with conflicts, the Festival for Peace held in Quang Tri land that has experienced much pain, loss, and destruction due to war, where "the sacred land blooms the flower of peace" will convey the message of the strong vitality of the peace-loving Vietnamese people, calling on humanity to join hands to build sustainable peace in the world.

The Festival for Peace was held for the first time on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Agreement on the cessation of war and the restoration of peace in Indochina (July 20, 1954 - July 20, 2024), the 77th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2024), towards the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025); is a national and international cultural, sports and tourism event and activity in the period 2024 - 2025 according to Decision No. 3032/QD-BVHTTDL dated October 16, 2023 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The festival will open on the evening of July 6, 2024, at the Hien Luong - Ben Hai Special National Monument with a series of meaningful activities and unique art programs with the hope that the festival's mark will create emotional highlights "bringing the world of peace to Quang Tri" - the land that has become a symbol of the desire for peace, healing and revival.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee affirmed that the 2024 Festival for Peace will be a vivid demonstration of that aspiration, when Quang Tri welcomes international friends, together building a peaceful, united and developed future, turning the painful past into a strong driving force for new steps forward.

It can be affirmed that this is the difference that Quang Tri brings to domestic and international tourists when coming to this heroic land.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc speaks at the press conference. (Photo: Anh Son)

Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc emphasized the five meanings that the Festival brings: Honoring international values, joining hands to build peace; Conveying the message that Vietnam loves peace, wishes to build and preserve peace; Promoting the vibrant cultural colors of Quang Tri land; Absorbing human cultural civilization, promoting cultural cooperation... thereby promoting Quang Tri culture; Creating an important cultural space, becoming an address to attract domestic and international tourists, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province.

In implementing the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam Commission for UNESCO identify localities, businesses and people as the service objects. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam Commission for UNESCO always accompany Quang Tri and localities to bring Vietnamese culture to the world and bring world culture to Vietnam.

The Festival for Peace is held in July as a season of gratitude and honoring the value of peace in the "land of fire" Quang Tri. Every July, people from all over the country return to Quang Tri, the land that suffered much pain and loss, witnessed many cruel and destructive scenes of war, to remember and pay tribute to the nation's outstanding sons who fell for peace, independence, freedom and national unity.

In Quang Tri province, there are 72 martyrs' cemeteries, including two National Martyrs' Cemeteries, Road 9 and Truong Son - the resting place of nearly 60,000 heroic martyrs from across the country.

With nearly 500 revolutionary historical relics, Quang Tri is considered a vivid museum of Vietnam's revolutionary war relics; including relic systems associated with the war to defend the Fatherland such as: Hien Luong - Ben Hai banks, Ho Chi Minh Trail, Vinh Moc Tunnels and Vinh Linh Tunnel Village System, Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and memorial sites of the 81 Days and Nights of 1972...

Delegates attending the press conference. (Photo: Anh Son)

The 2024 Peace Festival will include the following activities:

- Cycling for Peace Festival from June 29-30, at the Hien Luong - Ben Hai River Special National Monument and Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Special National Monument;

- Special art program Opening of the Festival for Peace with the theme: "Connecting bridges", taking place at 20:00, July 6 at the Hien Luong - Ben Hai Special National Monument;

- Cultural - Culinary Festival "Taste of the sunny flower land", from July 12-14 at Cua Viet beach tourist area, Gio Linh district;

- Music exchange "Melody of Peace" with: Trinh Cong Son music night "Song of Peace" at 8:00 p.m. on July 13 at Fidel Park, Dong Ha city; International music exchange program "Melody of Peace" at 8:00 p.m. on July 20 at Quang Tri Province Cultural - Cinema Center, Dong Ha city.

- "Peace Wish" program at 6:00 p.m. on July 26 in Quang Tri Town with: Funeral Ceremony (Quang Tri Ancient Citadel), Grand Requiem Ceremony (Liberation Square), Lantern Ceremony (South Bank of Thach Han River)...

This will be an open festival, with only an opening day, no closing day, so that visitors can respond and participate in the festival's activities in particular, and visit scenic spots and red addresses in Quang Tri in general...