3:26:19 PM | 7/8/2005
Opening ASEAN Culture Week: Festival Night of Cultural Colours
The ASEAN Culture Week 2004, named ‘ASEAN Culture - Traditional and Modern,’ was opened at the Hanoi Opera House on August 8, 2004, in an atmosphere of solidarity among ASEAN countries. The opening ceremony of the event also marked the 37th anniversary of ASEAN (August 8, 1967 – August 8, 2004). ASEAN countries at the opening night of the ASEAN Cultural Week offered performances depicting their age-old cultures.
Present at the opening ceremony was Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, Culture and Information Minister Pham Quang Nghi, Trade Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen, ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong and representatives of foreign embassies in Vietnam.
ASEAN Culture Week was initiated by Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai at the ASEAN Summit held in Brunei in 1999 with the aim of introducing regional cultures and traditions, promoting friendship and enhancing people's understanding of ASEAN. Addressing the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Khai said he wished that peace and sustainable development would accompany ASEAN in the 21st century.
The opening ceremony began with the ‘ASEAN Harmony’ song, the official song of ASEAN, which was performed by an 80-member orchestra. It was followed by spectacular performances by arts troupes from ten ASEAN countries.
Host Vietnam gave a spectacular performance entitled ‘the Ancient Vietnam Opening Festival’. Vietnamese artists were given the opportunity to introduce historical messages of Vietnam and its patriotic traditions.
Other ASEAN countries also introduced their cultural colours. Each of their performances depicted the particular culture of each nation.
The ASEAN Cultural Week demonstrated the great solidarity among ASEAN artists and the Vietnamese public. The event helped people in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world to understand the individual cultures of ASEAN countries, contributing to boosting friendship, solidarity and cooperation among ASEAN countries and the international community.
Within the ASEAN Culture Week, an exhibition, entitled ‘ASEAN Arts: Traditional and Modern,’ was launched in Hanoi to introduce traditional costumes and art works from member countries.
An ASEAN arts composition camp and the closing ceremony were held on Tuan Chau Island, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province, with a performance themed ‘Central Highlands Impression.’ A rich, specific culture, full of solidarity and friendship was the message that spectators took away with them from the ASEAN Culture Week.
Vietnamese
