A lively celebration of Independence Day in Kim Son.

For many years, the National Day holiday on September 2nd has become a festival for the people of Kim Son district, with many unique cultural and sports activities organized by the District People's Committee. This creates a safe and beneficial playground for all segments of the population to celebrate Independence Day, while also preserving the unique cultural features of the people in this coastal region.

The Kim Mau Theater grounds (Nam Dan Street, Phat Diem town) are the venue for the annual sports competition of Kim Son district. Located in the district center, it boasts a spacious grounds and is bordered by the An River. In 2022, the Kim Son district sports competition, celebrating the 77th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd, was inaugurated here, attracting thousands of local residents to visit and cheer on over 400 athletes from teams representing 25 communes, towns, and various organizations within the district. Besides modern sports like volleyball, there were also traditional games such as tug-of-war, chess, boat racing, and other folk games. Among these, boat racing is a distinctive cultural feature of Kim Son district, given its unique geographical location with a dense network of rivers and canals and its proximity to the sea.

For generations, when roads were limited, waterways were the vital means of transportation for the people of Kim Son to trade goods; they were also a source of livelihood for fishermen, thanks to their fish and shrimp catches. Even today, waterways continue to play a crucial role in the livelihoods of the people of Kim Son, contributing to the development of aquaculture. Therefore, boat racing is an indispensable part of every district festival, as it is not only a sport but also a unique cultural feature, preserving the history and traditions of Kim Son. In addition, the folk games in the Kim Son district's September 2nd festival also possess their own beauty and significance.

Comrade Vu Thi Ben, Deputy Secretary of the Kim Son District Youth Union, said: The District Youth Union was assigned to organize two folk games, climbing the corn bridge and catching ducks in the river, specifically for teenagers and children. These games require dexterity, perseverance, and calmness – valuable human qualities, and that is also the message we want to convey to the younger generation.

The vibrant activities taking place in Kim Son district during the annual National Day holiday on September 2nd not only commemorate the August Revolution and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam but also create a joyful and safe playground for the people, attracting the attention of young people to sports and traditional cultural values. Furthermore, the crowded scenes of people visiting and cheering on the activities, along with the smiles and cheers echoing across the sky, partly reflect the material prosperity and the need for spiritual enrichment among the people of Kim Son.

A lively celebration of Independence Day in Kim Son. — Boat racing competition on September 2nd in Kim Son. Photo courtesy of Anh Tuan.

Mr. Ta Thanh Ba, over 70 years old, residing in Nam Dan Street, Phat Diem town, said: "The cultural and sports activities organized annually by the district during the National Day holiday on September 2nd create a joyful and exciting atmosphere, helping to improve the cultural and spiritual life of our people, especially those who live far from home. Last year, my children and grandchildren in Hanoi came home for the holiday, and they were very happy because our hometown had many vibrant activities, its appearance was becoming more beautiful, and the lives of the people were improved both materially and spiritually. They promised that this year, with the long National Day holiday, they would come back to their hometown to rest, have fun, and enjoy the unique cultural and sports activities in Kim Son."

Continuing the tradition from previous years, during the National Day holiday on September 2nd, 2023, the People's Committee of Kim Son district will continue to organize a series of cultural, artistic, and sports activities to meet and serve the recreational needs of the people.

Comrade Pham Van Sang, Head of the Culture and Information Department of Kim Son District, said: The activities to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd have been planned and implemented by the District People's Committee. Besides organizing incense offerings to commemorate and express gratitude for the contributions of our ancestors; organizing visits and gift-giving to veteran revolutionaries, pre-revolution cadres, and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers in the area; the district is focusing on organizing cultural, artistic, and sports activities from August 30th to September 2nd to serve the people.

Notably, this year, Kim Son district has been chosen by the Department of Culture and Sports to host the Ninh Binh Provincial Traditional Wrestling Tournament 2023, scheduled to take place on August 30th at the Kim Mau Theater. In addition, women's volleyball will be included in the sports competitions this year.

Through activities aimed at creating a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere, encouraging and motivating cadres, Party members, and all strata of people in the district to continue successfully implementing the socio-economic development tasks for 2023 and the resolutions of the Party Congress at all levels. Simultaneously, integrating propaganda and education on historical, cultural, and revolutionary traditions, patriotism, and the spirit of great unity, strengthening and fostering the people's trust.

Thai Hoc

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