(VOVworld) – Crowded, bustling, and imbued with traditional festivals are what visitors feel when they come to this year’s Lim festival in Lim town, Bac Ninh province. Attending Lim festival means you’re coming to the world of folk games and Quan ho folk songs where couples of male and female vocalists are beautiful in “tu than” or four-panel traditional dresses and “quai thao” also called “ba tam” palm hats. All these have created a busy and happy atmosphere of spring. Let’s join VOV’s Le Phuong on a tour of Lim festival to experience such a festive mood there.
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| Betel and areca quids made in the shape of the phoenix bear the cultural feature of Quan Ho people (Photo: talkvietnam.com) |
It’s not by chance that Lim festival in Tien Du district has become a typical festival in the Kinh Bac region, the present-day Bac Ninh province. It’s said that the charming sentiments of Quan Ho performers have made visitors unable to leave when the festival is over and they keep singing the famous Quan Ho tune ‘Don’t go, my love’. Although the festival officially opens on the 13th day of the first lunar month, a couple of days before that, pilgrims begin flocking to the region.
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| Lim Festival begins with the procession of General Nguyen Dinh Dien who founded the festival in the 18th century (Photo: talkvietnam.com) |
The festival begins with a solemn palanquin procession with the participation of thousands of people to usher male and female gods into Hong Van temple in honor of General Nguyen Dinh Dien who founded the festival in the 18th century.
After the procession, traditional games are held. Young and old, boys and girls try to watch or play a game they like. Drum sounds echo from the wrestling area. Nguyen Thi Hong from Ca Mau province says ‘this is the first time I’ve visited the northern region and attended the Lim festival. It’s very interesting. I’ve been surprised by many games which I’ve never seen in the south. I like the swing-high-swing-low in a bamboo swing the most. This trip has given me a chance to learn about our country’s culture.’
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| Elderly Quan Ho singers (Photo: talkvietnam.com) |
What excites visitors to the Lim festival most is Quan Ho singing. It seems at every corner of the festival the melody can be heard. Betel and areca quids made in the shape of a phoenix are another cultural feature of the festival. Nguyen Minh Thanh, a visitor from Hai Duong province, says ‘I come here very early. I visit almost every tent where visitors are free to sing with local Quan Ho singers. That’s the real Lim festival.’
Nguyen Thi Nhien from Hanoi’s outlying district of Hoai Duc shares her feeling ‘the festival atmosphere is great. The performance areas are big to accommodate tourists from all over the country. I love Quan Ho folk songs and want to come here to learn from experienced Quan Ho singers.’
Unlike the busy atmosphere at the Lim Hill, Quan Ho singing at the homes of Quan Ho artists is calmer and more intimate. After a greeting, Quan Ho male and female vocalists show off their talent with old melodies. Each of their gestures expresses a cultural aspect of the Lim region. Ha Sy Tiep is Secretary and Chairman of Tien Du district’s Party Committee and People’s Council. He says ‘this year we’ve arranged four tents where the Association of the Elderly and clubs of selected villages can perform. They are placed far from each other. There are many families of veteran Quan Ho singers in villages in the Lim region where singing Quan Ho in the traditional way, without musical accompaniment, is organized for visitors.’
Le Phuong