Ha Nam (VNA) – A buffalo painting contest for
the Doi Son Tich Dien (ploughing) Festival was
held on February 10, or the sixth day of the Lunar New Year in Doi Son commune,
Duy Tien district, the northern province of Ha Nam.
The event drew 24 painters from various localities
nationwide, and a Russian who painted buffaloes chosen for the traditional
festival, which will be held on February 11, or the seventh day of the first
lunar month, with an aim to pray for bumper harvests in the New Year.
Buffaloes painted by winners of the
contest will join the Tich Dien festival, a highlight of Ha Nam tourism, which
also aims to encourage farmers to develop agricultural production and promote
the building of new-style rural areas.
The Tich Dien
festival features the importance of agriculture and the role of farmers, and
contributes to preserving and upholding cultural values of the locality.
The festival began
in 987 during the Le dynasty when King Le Dai Hanh decided to plough in Doi Son
commune, Duy Tien district to wish for bumper crops. The practice then became
an annual tradition held through many dynasties.
After a long time
of interruption, the festival was restored in 2009 and has been held annually
since then.-VNA
