Hue Festival to promote global solidarity

Cultural heritage with integration and development will lie at the heart of the 2014 Hue Festival, which is slated to take place in the former imperial city from April 12-20.

Festival Hue 2012

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh has requested local authorities to successfully organise the biennial event which features solidarity and promotes the traditional cultural values of countries around the world, especially ASEAN nations.

During a working session in the central Thua Thien-Hue province on March 24, the minister noted that the festival is an opportunity to explore the central region’s tourism potential.

He asked the organising board to ensure the ASEAN+3 Ministerial Meeting on Culture and Fine Arts takes place in a safe and friendly manner.

As many as 68 art troupes from 38 countries worldwide have confirmed they will join the festival which will be larger than previous events.

Vietnam will, for the first time, welcome world famous guests such as Brazil’s Sururu Na Roda band, Japan’s Bati-Holic drum troupe, and the Palestinian folk dance group Asayel.

The festival will highlight Nha Nhac, the royal court music and dance of Hue which has been named by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A similar variant of this elegant music is popular in Japan, where it is known as “Gegaku”, and also expected to be highlighted at the event.

It will also feature an Ao dai show and Hue kite flying, calligraphy, food demos and street performances.