LOCAL HERITAGE - HCM City’s residents view photos of the city and District 1’s history and cultural heritage sites, which are on display at an exhibition titled “Không Gian Di Sản Văn Hoá Quận 1” (Space for District 1’s Cultural Heritage) at District 1’s Cultural Centre. VNA/VNS Photo by Hoàng Tuyết

HCM CITY — HCM City is launching a series of cultural activities to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Việt Nam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23, 2005-2022).

The celebration is organised by the Department of Culture and Sports and the city’s Cultural Heritage Association.

The major event will be held on November 23 at the city’s Fine Arts Museum, including a presentation of traditional martial arts, a fashion show of áo dài (Vietnamese traditional dress), and performances of tài tử music, quan họ (love duet singing) and chèo (traditional opera).

The programme will also feature excerpts from famous hát bội (classical drama) and cải lương (reformed opera) plays performed by the city-based Hát Bội Theatre and Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre.

The organisers will hold a talk show themed “Bến Bạch Đằng - Dấu ấn văn hóa trên bến dưới thuyền” (Bạch Đằng Wharf and River Culture) with female archaeologist Nguyễn Thị Hậu, general secretary of the HCM City Historical Science Association.

The show will be held on November 23 at the Hồ Chí Minh Museum – HCM City Branch.

An antique car parade will be held downtown on November 19, running through the city’s architectural and cultural heritage sites in District 1.

In addition, all 21 districts and Thủ Đức city have organised talk shows called Ký Ức Sài Gòn – TPHCM (Memories of Sài Gòn – HCM City), exhibitions on the city’s history, and performances of traditional arts until November 26.

District 1’s People’s Committee on Monday opened a photo exhibition titled “Không Gian Di Sản Văn Hoá Quận 1” (Space for District 1’s Cultural Heritage), showcasing more than 100 photos on heritage sites relating to the history and development of the city and the district.

District 1 currently has 13 national historical, artistic and architectural relics, including Independence Palace recognised as a special national relic site, and 13 municipal-level relic sites.

Mai Thị Hồng Hoa, vice chairwoman of District 1’s People’s Committee, said the exhibition aims to raise people’s awareness of cultural heritage preservation and promotion, especially among young people, and educate them about the country’s history, culture and patriotism.

The exhibition remains open until November 27 at District 1’s Cultural Centre on Mạc Đĩnh Chi Street. — VNS