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The Saint Giong Festival was one of three examples of Ha Noi's cutural heritage to be recognised by UNESCO during the past year. — VNA/VNS Photo |
HA NOI — A ceremony has been held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ha Noi Municipal People's Committee and the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO to bestow UNESCO Certification recognising the Saint Giong Festival as a World Intangible Heritage. The festival was the third element of Ha Noi's heritage recognised by UNESCO in 2010, joining the 82 doctoral steles in the Temple of Literature, and the Thang Long Royal Citadel.
"Ha Noi is proud to receive UNESCO certification. This recognises the efforts of past generations who handed down their heritage to the people of Ha Noi," said Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, deputy chairwoman of the Ha Noi municipal People's Committee on Saturday.
"The Giong Festival had all the necessary elements to be recognised as humanity's intangible cultural heritage, especially the element of community participation in preserving and promoting the value of the festival," said Katherine Muller‑Marin, head of the UNESCO office in Ha Noi.
She also emphasised that the festival had been deeply impressed by the inherited traditions of those residents living along the Red River.
During the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Le Tien Tho, announced a national plan of action to preserve and promote the nation's cultural values during 2011-15.
The ceremony also included a traditional art performance by local people. — VNA/VNS