Kid’s play: Famous comedian Xuân Bắc (in white) will attend the Thu Vọng Nguyệt Festival this week at Hà Nội’s Văn Miếu (the Temple of Literature). — VNS file photo

HÀ NỘI — Thu Vọng Nguyệt, the biggest cultural event celebrating the Mid Autumn Festival, will be held at Hà Nội’s Quốc Tử Giám (Temple of Literature) from September 29 to October 1. The event, held this year for the first time, aims to combine the festivities of the past and present, old and new, traditional and modern.

The event is organised by the Quán Ăn Ngon Restaurant chain, with support from the Hà Nội People’s Committee, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Văn Miếu Management Board.

The celebration is slated to include nearly 500 artists, including folk artisans, cultural and historical researchers, fashion designers and many others.

Phạm Thị Bích Hạnh, owner and general director of the Quán Ăn Ngon Resturant chain, said children will have the chance to discover a giant dragon egg, appearing for the first time in Hà Nội. 

“Artisans from across the nation will join in cutting and trimming fruit, and designing the mid-Autumn tray of the past and present, making traditional moon cakes, and showing off their skills to visitors, particularly children,” she said.

Hanoian Hoàng Thu Hằng, said “both adults and children are very excited for the event because the festival will let children have a chance to enjoy traditional games and food while adults remember to Mid Autumns of the past.”

Hằng’s son, Anh Thái, 12, said his younger sister and friends will attend the festival and play traditional games such as ô ăn quan (mandarin square capturing), bắn bi (marbles), rồng rắn lên mây (dragon dance) and nhảy dây (rope skipping).

“But most are excited to join in with activities like helping artisans to make lanterns, marks and toy figurines,” said Thái.

The festival not only brings joy to children but also offers families the opportunity to gather at the Temple of Literature and exchange views and remember the old Mid Autumn festivals. Talks and documents by historical researcher Dương Trung Quốc, Dr Nguyễn Nhã and cultural and traditional folk researcher Trịnh Bách will entertain and educate visitors, said Hạnh.

“We aim to restore and preserve our traditional activities to welcome the Autumn festival, it’s like a really big Tết for children,” Bách said.

In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a play titled Dòng sông ánh sáng (The River of Light) by leading artists and watch an Áo Dài fashion show by renowned designers Anh Thư, Hà Linh Thư and Đức Hùng.

An official from the Hà Nội Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the huge event not only captures the characteristics of Hà Nội but also popularises folk culture and preservation of national spirit.

The three-day event is expected to welcome thousands of local and foreign visitors, and will end on October 1. — VNS