The Lim Festival is a celebration of Quan Ho folk singing, a unique form of Vietnamese folk music that was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
Held on 13 January (lunar calendar)/13 February in the northern city of Bac Ninh, the Lim Festival is a huge 3-day celebration of ethnic Vietnamese culture, from brightly colored costumes and art to Quan ho, a distinct form of folk singing recognized by UNESCO.
1. Legend of Lim Festival
There are many legends about the origin of the Lim festival until now.
Some believe the event was held as a homage to the old love story of Truong Chi – My Nuong. Others say that the Lim festival originally aimed to worship Ba Mu – a child of Noi Due hamlet, who protected all residents in the village against a severe drought.
However, according to the villagers, the origin was traced back to the 18th century when Nguyen Dinh Dien – a mandarin born in Noi Due village – donated a large amount of money to restore temples, hold festivals and preserve traditional customs in the region.
When he died, the locals decided to organize two annual ceremonies on his date of birth and death at Hong An Pagoda on Lim mountain. At present, only one ceremony is held on the 13th of the first lunar month of the year. Hence the Lim Festival takes place at the same time.
Lim Festival also aims to worship Mr. Hieu Trung Hau, who invented Quan Ho singing – a highlight of the festival.
2. History of Lim Festival
Lim festival is literally the festival of the Lim Village and riversides of Tiêu Tương river. Lim festival became the regional festival in the 18th century. When the defense command governor of Thanh Hoa, Nguyen Dinh Dien (born in Dinh Ca hamlet, Noi Due, Kinh Bac) was rewarded land and a lot of perquisite for services rendered to the country. He donated a large amount of his garden land, field land and money to Noi Due commune to restore pagodas, temples and organize festivals as a way to preserve traditions and customs. He also built the structure in front of his tomb and named it Hong Van tomb on Lim Mountain. Due to his merits to the region, Noi Due villagers worshipped him as the god of the region. Twice a year, the villagers often hold the ceremony to Nguyen Dinh Dien, once in his birth and once in his incarnation at the Hong Van tomb and Hong An pagoda on Lim mountain. After many years, Hoi Lim is combined with different kinds of culture; therefore, Noi Due villagers decided to hold Hoi Lim and the sacrifice of Nguyen Dinh Dien on the same day – the 13th of January (lunar calendar).
3. Opening Time
The Lim Festival generally takes place in two or three days, from January 12 to January 14 of the lunar calendar every year.
In the past, the event was held in the King Bac region, which used to consist of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces in the old times.
The Lim Festival only takes place in Tien Du district, Bac Ninh province. During this time people often gather on Lim hill and Lim pagoda to join the activities
4. Traditional Values
Despite ups and downs, traditions in the Lim festival are still well kept. Lim festival is an attractive destination for people who get eagerness on the cultural values. Seemingly, the vitality of spring is hidden in from each conical hat to oak silk bib. Besides, the festival is held in a distinctive way, which symbolizes the beauty of Kinh Bac people. Apparently, Quan họ becomes the intangible cultural heritage, the traditional culture of Vietnam.
5. Activities in Lim Festival
Quan Ho folk singing
The most exciting part of Lim Festival in Vietnam is Quan Ho singing, which was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO in 2009. Quan ho singing has been performed in Vietnam since the 12th century on all sorts of stages such as pagoda courtyards, communal houses, hills, and even on boats. All the singers dress in traditional costumes, taking turns singing in pairs of one male and one female or in groups. While performing, the singers will interact with audiences and give them betel and areca to taste.
Folk games
In addition to Quan Ho singing, Lim Festival enchants tourists with many traditional contests, fairs, and folk games such as human chess, water puppetry, swinging, wrestling, blindman’s buff, lion dances, cock-fighting, and more. Don’t miss out on the weaving competition, where you can admire how the locals weave and perform Quan Ho singing at the same time.
It is also a traditional opportunity for young men and women to seek life partners. Young men and women who want to find their partners often come up hill to sing. There men hold umbrellas while women are wearing flat palm hats, without concern about the sun or rain. Sometimes they can even sing all night to show their love, ebullient passion and grace.
Besides, visitors can come to the Lim Festival to enjoy the weaving competition of the Noi Due girls. They weave and sing Quan Ho songs at the same time.
The Lim Festival is a truly unique and special event that offers visitors a chance to experience the rich culture and heritage of Vietnam.
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Source: aseanvietnam.vn