For the kids in remote areas of Phu Giao District, Fullmoon Festival has always been taken good care of by the authorities, organizations and institutions through interesting and practical activities. Accordingly, a playful, warm, and meaningful festival is created for the children. To attend the night of "Fullmoon Festival 2013" of the province with the children on September 18 in Phu Giao district was to "feel" the joy of the children in the holiday of reunion.
Many meaningful activities
As remote district of the province, 12 ethnic communities, largest ethnic communities of Khmer, Tay, Nung, San Chi are living with the Kinh people ... Although life is challenging, local people this place was "joining hands" to develop the economy, to enjoy culture, entertainment and sports, and to build up parks and cultural villages. For them, annual Fullmoon Festival is considered as a significant cultural event not only for children but for adults as well. From this activity, the local people deeply appreciated the care of authorities for their families, for their children, thereby reassuring productive labor to devote intellectual energy to the district development. Deputy Chair Nguyen Van Long of Phu Giao district People's Committee said that thanks to the care of provincial leaders, Phu Giao district has actively organized many useful activities for children. In which, the Fullmoon Festival is organized for the children on annual basis. To be well-prepared for this year's Fullmoon Festival, local People's Committee has established a Steering Board to assign specific individuals and units to specific positions. By that, joint hands have been made, to contribute to the protection and care of young children's education, children's motivation in remote areas in the new school year with lots of fun, while keeping the traditional major Vietnamese holiday including Tet (Lunar New Year).
The children are with their lantern in a contest
Knowingly, so as to enable all children in the district to welcome the Fullmoon Festival, local People's Committee has directed its communes and hamlets to organize social and cultural events with gift awarding to local children. At such events, the children are able to let out their thoughts and enjoy the happiness. Besides, the local authorities have also received the care of individuals and organizations dedicated to children. Specifically, in Tan Hiep commune of Phu Giao District, An An Wood Corporation donated 300 gifts for children of needy families, in disability, and of ethnic communities. Each gift worths VND100,000. Mr. Vuong Van Long, a Nung people in Tan Hiep commune said: "The atmosphere of the days near Fullmoon Festival easily brought the adults in to enjoy. This year, my children not only receive gifts, but also are engaged in the district Fullmoon Festival, I am so delight. I hope that, they would enjoy this every year."
A vibrant festival
Compared with previous years, in this year's Fullmoon Festival, the children are welcoming a greater festival in Phu Giao District thanks to the funds of VND 150 million budgeted from the province. In addition, the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has been in collaboration with the district Office of Finance & Planning to consult local People's Committee with additional funding for this year's Fullmoon Festival to be accomplished in terms of forms and meaning. The festival attracted over 2,000 students and children from the communes, districts, and townlets of the district. In the sequence of programs, beauty lantern contest drew much attention. Mr. Bui Van Quang, Deputy Director of Children's House in the district, said: "The competition is for over 60 beautiful lanterns submitted by the communes and towns. These lanterns were carefully selected in lower level contests; thus, the examiners should be challenged to choose the winners. The lanterns were made under the theme of Fullmoon Festival, Uncle Ho, and the sea and Islands. Besides, the fascinating and professional presentation of the lanterns was attractive to children."
Children are taking part into folk chess
Interspersed with beautiful lantern contest, the children also showed their intelligence and physical strength through folk games, such as rope jumping, tug-of-war, pinata, folk chess, etc. The festival has "rivived" the seem to be forgotten folk games nowadays. From that the purposes of the games to make children remember their origin through the folk games handed down by their fathers for centuries, an easier pathway to the life, soul and Vietnamese cultural past. Besides, the air was enlightened with amateur performance of the children. In addition, they also participated in a candlelight procession around the main streets of the district. "This is the first time I've been receiving such a great and vibrant fullmoon festival. I'm very happy to participate in folk games. And, I liked the folk chess best. Because, you have to think to play this game; thus giving you patience and flexibility. Later on, I will guide my friends in the neighborhood to play."
The festival ended and the children parted the place with their families back home. Mixed with happiness were the promises of good and hard learning to deserve good care of their families and teachers.
Reported by Thien Ly – Do Tuan – Translated by Vi Bao
