On May 31, the press conference for the festival was jointly held in Hanoi by the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The festival will be held on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Agreement, on the cessation of war and the restoration of peace in Indochina (July 20, 1954 – 2024), and the 77th anniversary of War Invalids and Fallen Soldiers’ Day (July 27, 1947 – 2024).
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The delegates at the press conference. |
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Hung, said that Vietnam is a peace-loving country. Having gone through long and arduous wars, and enduring countless losses and sacrifices, Vietnamese people clearly recognise the value of peace.
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| Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Hung speaks at the event. |
Quang Tri suffered much pain, sacrifice and losses through wars, but has revived and risen today in a world of peace and integration. Therefore, it is the most suitable locality for a festival carrying the message of Peace for the first time in Vietnam, added the Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee.
The festival aims to convey the message of the strong vitality of the peace-loving Vietnamese people, call on humanity to join hands to build sustainable peace in the world and contribute to enhancing Vietnam’s position and image.
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Deputy Editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper Dinh Nhu Hoan attends the press conference. |
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc expressed his belief that the 2024 Festival for Peace creates an important driving force for Quang Tri to not only become a cultural space and red address for peace, and a meeting place for peace-loving friends from all over the world.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc speaks at the event. |
It will also contribute to promoting potential, attracting tourism and strengthening international cooperation, for the sustainable socio-economic development of the locality.
Along with gratitude and memorial activities, the festival will feature many cultural, artistic, musical, entertainment, sports and culinary activities, in many different spaces.
The main activities during the festival will be the Cycling Day for Peace (June 29-30), which is expected to attract about 1,000 domestic and international athletes; a special art programme at the opening ceremony for the festival; and a cultural and culinary festival.
Notably, the organising committees have invited seven countries to attend the festival, including famous artists from the Republic of Korea, Japan and the US.
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Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee Hoang Nam informs of activities during the festival. |
Another main activity is the incense and flower offering and praying ceremony on the north bank of the Thach Han River and the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel special national relic site, on July 26.
A wide variety of other events in response to the festival will be held including the art programme entitled “The 17th Parallel - Aspiration for Peace", organised by Nhan Dan Newspaper on the evening of July 19; the Marathon Tournament on June 15-16; the Cultural Festival of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups; national sports competitions; and an International Trade Fair.
Notably, the festival will take place without a closing date.
