Performers from the private drama troupe IDECAF will perform acrobatics, singing and dancing to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at Bến Thành Theatre this weekend. — VNS Photo Duyên Phan
HCM CITY — More than 300 disadvantaged children in HCM City will receive moon cakes, lanterns and other gifts at the Suối Tiên Theme Park this weekend as part of Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations around the country.
The children, many living in shelters, will also take part in traditional games and music at a party called Lễ Hội Trung Thu Yêu Thương (Beloved Mid-Autumn Festival).
They will also participate in a lion dance and lantern parade, and receive notebooks, pens, clothes and toys from the organisers.
Suối Tiên will offer free tickets to more than 5,000 poor children on Sunday night.
Tonight, the IDECAF Drama Troupe will restage Truy Tìm Thủy Long Kiếm (Finding the Dragon Sword), one of its most popular plays for children.
The play tells stories about bravery, self-respect, honesty and friendship. It features boys and girls living under the sea who face challenges to protect the natural world and animals and people from the Dark.
“Our work brings messages about love and life. It encourages children to fight against bad things,” said the show’s director Vũ Minh.
The play has attracted 30 actors, including famous comic artists Lê Khánh and Đình Toàn, who are talented in music, dance, pantomime and circus skills.
It will be performed at 8pm at Bến Thành Theatre at Mạc Định Chi Street in District 1. The show will open at 6pm on September 8 and 9. Tickets are VNĐ200,000 (US$9) and are available at the box office.
On Sunday, District 3’s Youth Cultural House will organise a gala called Vũ Điệu Trăng Rằm (Dance on Mid-Autumn Night).
The event will feature singers, dancers and theatre artists from traditional art troupes and dance groups. It will open for free.
As in previous years, cultural houses for children in the rural districts of Nhà Bè, Bình Chánh, Hóc Môn, Củ Chi and Cần Giờ will host programmes from Friday to Sunday, featuring lantern and fruit-tray design competitions, music and dance performances, and water-puppet shows.
At night, young performers will stage circus and magic shows. Several thousand poor children will be invited.— VNS