Quang Tri’s For Peace Festival – “The Sacred Land blossoms with peace”

From June 29 to July 26, 2024, Quang Tri Province will host the Peace Festival to honor the value of peace, pay tribute to the heroic martyrs, commemorate the war victims, and share the losses and suffering caused by war. Additionally, the festival aims to promote and enhance the status and image of the land and people of Quang Tri. Vice Chairman of the Quang Trị Provincial People’s Committee and Head of the Festival Organizing Committee Hoang Nam told Quang Tri Newspaper, about the purpose, significance, humanitarian values, and the series of special activities planned for the festival.

After a period of preparation, the programs within the framework of the 2024 Peace Festival, featuring a series of meaningful, unique, and engaging activities, have been largely completed. Could you please outline the key activities included in the festival's schedule?

Quang Tri, a land that has endured immense pain and loss due to war, symbolizes the nation’s indomitable desire for peace. It is a place that resonates deeply with the conscience of humanity, drawing empathy and profound solidarity. Thus, choosing Quang Tri, “the sacred land where peace blossoms,” as the venue for the Peace Festival is both fitting and significant. In the current global context, where armed conflicts and violence are on the rise, the value of peace needs to be highlighted and reinforced more than ever.

The Peace Festival aims to honor the value of peace, elevate the status and image of Quang Tri and the nation, and transform Quang Tri into a cultural space dedicated to peace—a destination that transcends suffering and loss, where people can unite in their aspirations for life and development. The festival’s activities, including tributes and commemorations, are designed to create a vibrant and diverse experience with cultural, artistic, recreational, and culinary events. These activities cater to various audiences, especially the younger generation, and are held across multiple venues.

Key events within the Peace Festival include; Peace Cycling Day; Peace Festival Opening Ceremony; Musical Exchange “Melodies of Peace”; Culinary Culture Festival”Flavors of the Sunny Land“Program;”Wish for Peace" Program.

These meaningful activities not only celebrate peace but also promote Vietnam’s peace message and introduce Quang Tri’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, tourism, and socio-economic potential to international friends.

The Peace Cycling Day is a pre-opening event for the Peace Festival, featuring a bicycle parade, several short races, visits and gifts, environmental activities, and promotional efforts leading up to the festival. This event will be held from the Hien Luong-Ben Hai Special National Monument to the Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery and the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Special National Monument. Participants will include amateur cyclists from Vietnam and international countries such as Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, with an expected turnout of 500 to 1,000 cyclists.

Vice Chairman of Quang Tri People’s Committee Hoang Nam and US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J.Kritenbrink visit Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery in August 2019. Photo: I.T

The Peace Festival will officially open at the Hien Luong-Ben Hai Special National Monument with the theme “Connecting Bridges.” This grand artistic program will feature numerous renowned artists from both Vietnam and abroad, set against a multi-dimensional musical stage. The musical exchange “Melodies of Peace,” including a Trinh Cong Son night-themed “Songs of Peace,” will take place on the evening of July 13 at Fidel Park, Dong Ha City.

The international musical exchange “Melodies of Peace” will be held on July 20 at the Provincial Cultural and Cinema Center. The culinary culture festival “Flavors of the Sunny Land” will take place from July 12 to 14 at Cua Viet Tourist Area, showcasing unique dishes that represent the culinary culture of Vietnam’s three regions and international cuisine. The program “Wish for Peace” will occur on the evening of July 26 at the Flower Releasing Wharf on the northern bank of the Thach Han River and the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Special National Monument. This program aims to honor and pay tribute to the heroic martyrs who sacrificed for the country’s independence and commemorate war victims worldwide.

In addition to these main events, the festival will feature numerous meaningful activities in support of the Peace Festival. Notably, the artistic program “17th Parallel - Aspiration for Peace” will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Accords (July 21, 1954 - 2024) and the establishment of the Vinh Linh Special Zone (August 25, 1954 - 2025). This event will take place on the evening of July 19, 2024, in the flagpole area on the northern bank of the Hien Luong-Ben Hai Special National Monument.

A unique feature of the Peace Festival is its "open" format, with an opening ceremony but no closing ceremony, symbolizing the enduring and perpetual aspiration for peace. Could you highlight the key elements of the festival's opening ceremony?

The opening ceremony of the Peace Festival, themed “Connecting Bridges,” will feature an official opening ritual and a special artistic program. For the first time, a multi-dimensional musical stage will combine performances on land, on the river, and in the air, connecting the north-south axis of the Hien Luong River. This tri-point performance space aims to evoke emotional connections, embodying Vietnam’s spirit of integration. The event, centered on Quang Tri, a land rich with historical significance and international camaraderie, aspires to achieve national and international prominence.

The artistic program will consist of three parts: “Words of Aspiration,” which will evoke the concept of peace and the value of love; “Sounds of Connection,” highlighting Vietnam as a peace-loving nation and Quang Tri, with its Hien Luong Bridge symbolizing the pain of division and the desire for unity, peace, and national reconciliation; “Songs of Joy,” conveying the message of building peace together, aspiring for a harmonious world. This section will emphasize global solidarity, transcending differences in race and nationality to construct a foundation of peace for all humanity. The program will conclude with an artistic fireworks display.

The Peace Festival is designed as an “open” festival, featuring an opening ceremony but no closing ceremony, to symbolize the eternal and enduring desire for peace. This format ensures that visitors to Quang Tri can always experience the special emotions associated with the festival, regardless of when they arrive.

As of now, how has the preparation work progressed?

The Peace Festival is a significant event, expected to be the largest and most anticipated in Quang Tri to date. The province is meticulously preparing every aspect of the festival, encouraging widespread societal participation to ensure a positive impact on the community, particularly in boosting local tourism.

So far, the main components of the festival are ready. The Government has expressed support and provided guidance through various central ministries and agencies. Key preparations include developing the program, mobilizing human and social resources, and coordinating with both national and international organizations. Efforts are also underway to prepare the local population to welcome visitors.

Specific tasks such as upgrading infrastructure, planning traffic management, ensuring security, providing medical and food safety, improving the quality of accommodations and dining establishments, and training service providers are all being implemented according to plan.

Quang Tri is spearheading and organizing the festival with contributions from numerous organizations and individuals, collectively creating its value. Every visitor to Quang Tri becomes a peace ambassador, bringing the spirit of peace to the festival. Therefore, we continue to seek the Government’s attention, support, and participation from central ministries, provinces, cities, organizations, individuals, and both domestic and international visitors. We eagerly welcome delegates, friends, and tourists to Quang Tri.

Thank you for your time!

Thanh Truc - Ngoc Mai