Vibrant Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Updated: 21:35, 07/09/2022

In order to create a traditional cultural playground for the people of the capital, especially for children, the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre - Hanoi has just opened the Mid-Autumn Festival with the theme of “Den thu lung linh” (Sparkling lanterns) at Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Hoang Dieu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

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Coming the event, the public have the chance to enjoy a traditional colourful display space with a focus being a giant lantern.

The traditional Mid-Autumn Festival toys within the programme “Den thu lung linh”.

In addition, there are booths displaying and introducing many kinds of traditional mid-autumn lanterns.

Notably, some mid-autumn lanterns from the early twentieth century, which were made according to the research of Researcher Trinh Bach, were restored according to sources such as crab-shaped lanterns and “Carp turning into dragons" lanterns.

On this occasion, the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre organised a space for guests to experience making moon cakes, making star-shaped and rabbit-shaped lanterns, painting masks, and making paper kites.

The organising board also recreated the atmosphere of the old Mid-Autumn Festival with stalls selling toys, tray with sweets and fruits typical of autumn. In addition, the program also featured art performances to serve the public, most notably water puppet shows and lion dances.

Art programme recalls historic autumn in August 1945

An art programme entitled ‘Nang Ba Dinh’ (Sunshine at Ba Dinh Square) was held at the Hanoi Opera House on August 31, marking the 77th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (1945-2022).

Mid-Autumn Festival masks

Dang Huong Lan and Nguyen Van Hoa have been hand-making traditional Mid-Autumn Festival masks for decades. Learning the craft from their grandparents, the couple make brightly coloured artisanal masks using paper mache. These are widely popular among children and are sold at markets in Hanoi.