On the evening of December 1, at the outdoor stage of the City Cultural Center, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, in collaboration with the Hanoi Veterans Association, organized the Finals of the 6th Capital Veterans Arts Festival 2024 under the theme “Forever Uncle Ho’s Soldiers.” This event marked the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944 – December 22, 2024) and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Veterans Association (December 6, 1989 – December 6, 2024).
Major General Nguyen Manh Su, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Veterans Association, Delivers the Opening Speech
Attending the festival’s opening ceremony were Major General Nguyen Manh Su, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Veterans Association; Tran Thi Van Anh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports; representatives of various departments and units under the Department of Culture and Sports; leaders of the Veterans Associations in districts, towns, and communes; and a large audience from the capital city.
In his opening remarks, Major General Nguyen Manh Su, who also serves as Co-Chair of the festival’s organizing committee, emphasized: “The festival aims to broadly promote and educate the public on the nation’s struggle for independence and its efforts to build and defend the country under the leadership of the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam and the great President Ho Chi Minh. It honors the tremendous contributions of the veterans in various periods of resistance and the development of our nation. This festival continues to uphold the traditions of the Vietnamese veterans, contributing to educating the younger generations to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity for veterans of different generations to connect and interact, fostering the development of cultural and artistic activities within the veterans’ community in the capital. This, in turn, enhances their spiritual and cultural life, encouraging them to live happily, healthily, and to uphold the values of Uncle Ho’s soldiers”.
Major General Nguyen Manh Su, Vice President of the Hanoi City Veterans Association and Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Tran Thi Van Anh presented souvenir flags and flowers to units participating in the Final Round of the Festival on the evening of December 1.
According to the organizers, the 6th Capital Veterans Arts Festival was launched in March 2024 and received enthusiastic participation from various units. District and commune-level People’s Committees actively directed local cultural and sports departments and other relevant agencies to coordinate with the Veterans Association in organizing grassroots-level festivals. Outstanding performances were selected and prepared to compete in the city-level finals, creating a joyful and celebratory atmosphere among the public.
Out of 30 districts, towns, and communes, 29 successfully organized grassroots-level festivals, including Dan Phuong, Phuc Tho, Hoai Duc, Me Linh, Thanh Tri, My Duc, Thuong Tin, Ung Hoa, Phu Xuyen, Quoc Oai, Thanh Oai, Soc Son, Gia Lam, Ba Vi, Thach That, Dong Anh, Son Tay, Ha Dong, Bac Tu Liem, Thanh Xuan, Hoan Kiem, Tay Ho, Hai Ba Trung, Cau Giay, Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Long Bien, Hoang Mai, and Nam Tu Liem. Notably, eight districts—Thuong Tin, Me Linh, Soc Son, Ung Hoa, Nam Tu Liem, Thanh Xuan, Dong Anh, and My Duc—also successfully organized events at the commune, ward, and township levels.
Some performances at the Festival Finals of the units: Hoai Duc, Nam Tu Liem, Bac Tu Liem, Gia Lam, Thanh Xuan, Dong Da, Thach That
The city-level finals featured 30 participating units from districts, towns, and communes. Each unit performed a program comprising singing, dancing, and instrumental music, including solo, duet, trio, choir, independent dance, solo instrumental, and ensemble pieces.
The performances were carefully choreographed, captivating, and thematically rich, celebrating Vietnam, its people, and its achievements. They praised the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam, the great President Ho Chi Minh, and the Vietnamese nation’s resilience in building and defending the country. The programs also honored the admirable image of the veterans throughout different historical periods as well as the beauty and accomplishments of Hanoi, a city of “Tradition – Civility – Modernity.”
The Festival final round received attention and encouragement from delegates and audiences.
The festival’s performances brought audiences a range of emotions, creating a jubilant atmosphere to celebrate the significant milestones of the capital and the nation.
The finals took place from December 1 to December 4, 2024, at the City Cultural Center (No. 7 Phung Hung Street, Ha Dong District)./.
Ngoc Tram