The festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , and the Hanoi People's Committee, took place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to UNESCO.
Attending the opening ceremony were Party Central Committee Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra ; Party Central Committee member and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh; Party Central Committee member and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang; and Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh, and other delegates performed the opening ceremony of the second World Cultural Festival in Hanoi.
Also attending were leaders and former leaders of the Party and State; leaders of central and Hanoi city departments, ministries, and agencies; ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic agencies and international organizations, as well as Vietnamese and international art troupes.
The second World Cultural Festival featured participation from 50 countries and international organizations, offering a wide range of experiences in terms of scale, content, and format.
Immediately following the ceremony, the opening art program took the audience on a journey to explore the depths of Vietnamese culture, from values nurtured through history to contemporary forms of artistic expression. In this flow, heritage becomes the foundation, while art serves as a means of connecting generations, communities, and cultures.
Culture connects people, bridging all distances and differences.
VHO - Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized that the second World Cultural Festival in Hanoi is a bridge to foster friendship, understanding, and trust among nations to jointly build a peaceful, humane, and sustainably developed world for humanity.
Cultural colors are recreated through the performance "Mother's Lullaby," a medley of folk songs from the three regions of Vietnam, along with performances of Hue Royal Court Music, "Song of the Southern Land," and Quan Ho folk songs from Bac Ninh...
Each art form possesses its own unique character, contributing to the rich cultural life of Vietnam's ethnic communities, from folk songs intertwined with daily life to traditional art forms passed down through generations.
Festivals serve as bridges to foster friendship, understanding, and trust among nations, working together to build a peaceful, humane, and sustainably developed world for humanity.
The program not only recreates the values that have shaped the national cultural identity, but also creates conditions for these heritages to continue to be present in contemporary life.
Through the language of theater, music, and performance, familiar cultural elements are introduced to the public in a new space, contributing to sparking audience interest, especially among the younger generation, in heritage.
Drawing from the cultural heritage of Vietnam, the program expanded to the theme "Five Continents Converge," featuring art troupes from China, Indonesia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Laos, Ukraine, South Korea, and more.
These performances carry unique musical influences, performance styles, and cultural imprints, creating a diverse picture of the artistic life of each nation.
The participation of international art troupes not only enriches the program content but also opens up opportunities for the public to access different cultures through direct experience.
On the same stage, diverse artistic styles coexist, showcasing the varied ways each community preserves, expresses, and transmits its cultural values.
In that space of interaction, differences do not create distance but become the material for dialogue and discovery.
Each performance is a cultural snapshot, helping the audience identify the unique characteristics of each country while also appreciating the commonalities in the spiritual lives of different nations.
In addition to traditional art forms, the opening ceremony also brought a youthful rhythm through the combination of folk elements with rap, hip-hop, and EDM.
Artists Hoa Minzy, Duc Phuc, Truc Nhan, Ha Myo, and Hoang Bach contributed to creating diverse performance styles, blending contemporary music into the emotional flow of the evening.
The combination of traditional and modern elements demonstrates the continued relevance of cultural materials in contemporary life.
When expressed in forms that resonate with contemporary audiences, traditional cultural values have a greater chance of reaching younger viewers, while also expanding the creative space for artists.
Performance by the Chinese artistic troupe
The interplay between different art forms also creates a consistent rhythm throughout the program.
From folk melodies and traditional arts to performances with an international flair and modern styles, the opening night gradually expanded the scope of enjoyment, connecting cultural depth with the diversity of contemporary artistic life.
Performance by the Lao Artists' Troupe
Through this, the program not only introduces cultural values but also suggests ways for those values to continue to be received and spread.
Heritage is placed in relation to contemporary creativity, while international exchange becomes an opportunity for cultures to showcase their identities, enhance dialogue, and find common ground.
Performance by the Cambodian art troupe
Held over four days, the second World Culture Festival in Hanoi expanded from an opening art program into a space for cultural exchange, sharing, and experiences.
Here, locals and tourists have the opportunity to experience many different cultural nuances, from performing arts to values associated with the lives, customs, and identities of various communities.
Performance by the Peruvian artists' troupe
With the theme "Convergence of Heritage – Connection to the Future," the festival places heritage values in relation to exchange, cooperation, and innovation.
The participation of countries, international organizations, and performing arts groups facilitates cultural accessibility not only through performances but also through encounters, exchanges, and experiences between communities.
Performance by Ukrainian artist
Organizing the festival at Thang Long Imperial Citadel also creates a connection between Vietnam's heritage space and international cultural exchange activities.
From a location preserving the historical landmarks of the capital city, art programs open up new approaches to heritage, while bringing the image of Vietnamese culture closer to international friends.
In the context of increasingly expanding international exchanges, such activities contribute to strengthening people-to-people exchanges and promoting understanding and respect for cultural differences.
Through this, cultural values are not only introduced but also have the opportunity to become a bridge for dialogue, cooperation, and a shared vision for the future.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh, and other delegates pose for a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony.
From Vietnamese folk melodies to the vibrant arts of the world, the opening night launched a journey of diverse cultural exchange in Hanoi.
The festival is expected to create more connections between countries, contribute to spreading heritage values, inspire creativity, and deepen understanding between nations.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/chinh-polit/ruc-ro-sac-mau-van-hoa-trong-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-tai-ha-noi-lan-thu-hai-270626.html
