The Association of Vietnamese in France (UGVF) celebrates New Year of the Rabbit at the great hall of Baltard, in the city of Nogent-sur-Marne on the outskirts of Paris. This is a familiar meeting place of the Vietnamese community for many years when entering the lunar new year.
Happy New Year Festival Lunar New Year of UGVF had many special cultural and artistic activities lasting from noon. The space of thousands of square meters on the ground floor has been devoted to the market Tet.
Vietnamese families and French friends who attended the event had the opportunity to enjoy many special Vietnamese dishes at booths introducing culinary arts, while shopping for Vietnamese handicrafts, books and newspapers.
Just like the traditional Spring market, TET market There are two tables for writing calligraphy, a table for making to he, and a table for displaying five fruits with traditional fruits. A series of Tet couplets, red banners to congratulate the new year, flickering colorful ao dai create a joyful and warm atmosphere on the first day of the year.
The opening art part was the lion rice performance, martial arts performance of the Son Long sect, followed by sub-parts of music, dance, dan Tranh, and stall dancing by the Vietnamese Youth Association and the city associations. implemented by members of UGVF. From within the country, the Ho Chi Minh City art troupe also had a number of interesting performances.
Coming to ask for words at the calligraphy table, Ms. Hong, a Viet Kieu shared: “I ask for the word Phuoc Hong, which is both my name and my husband’s name, and wishes to be happy and happy from now until the end of the year.”
[Mang hơi ấm mùa Xuân quê hương đất Việt đến với kiều bào tại Bỉ]
The most exciting is the children’s village. Open later than other spaces, but this is where most families gather. From the elderly to the children, all are excited regarding the folk games of the Vietnamese and the French such as playing umbrellas, chess, throwing ki…, reminiscent of the joyful atmosphere in the villages. Vietnam village.
Calligraphy desks in Vietnamese and French attract a lot of people asking for letters at the beginning of the year. (Photo: Tien Nhat/VNA)At the chess table, Mr. Nguyen Nam, a Vietnamese living in the suburbs of Paris, said he came here to have fun with his wife and two children. He was really touched and surprised, because organizing such a crowded and fun community event is not an easy thing in France.
“When I entered, the first thing I did was to find out where the children were living, and I was surprised to see that there are many games and activities in this hall for children and adults. It’s been a long time. I just got to play chess once more, found someone to play chess with me,” said Mr. Nam.
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Quy Mao Tet Festival was more crowded than expected and succeeded beyond the expectations of the UGVF leadership. Despite having to increase more tables, many diners still might not find a seat. According to Mr. Vuong Huu Nhan, President of UGVF, the organizers have made some adjustments to the festival’s form compared to previous years, focusing on Tet markets instead of cultural performances.
“We want to attract more people, not only the Vietnamese community but also French friends, because there are many people who are very interested in Vietnamese food and culture. There are many food stalls, handicrafts, pants. traditional clothes, folk games for children, and we succeeded,” said Mr. Nhan. “People come here to eat and drink for a short time, then spend the rest of the time meeting and chatting.”
Not only is the place to celebrate Spring, the Lunar New Year festival is also an opportunity for Vietnamese and French organizations to introduce activities. The entire space of the second floor of the hall is a place to display images of some major associations in France, including the Vietnam Student Association, the Franco-Vietnamese Friendship Association, the Vietnam Business Association in France, or the specializes in supporting Vietnamese dioxin victims “Collectifs Dioxine.” In addition, an exhibition on the Paris Agreement with the theme “A community towards the country” was also held.
The Spring Festival ended with a dance program at 21:30. The money collected from ticket sales to participate in games at Children’s Village will be organized “Back to the source” to contribute to the funding fund for the construction and upgrading of a number of schools in Kien Giang province.
Playing Quan Quan, a folk game that is loved by many overseas Vietnamese children. (Photo: Tien Nhat/VNA)
The exhibition on the Paris Agreement with the theme “A community towards the country” is of great interest to many visitors. (Photo: Tien Nhat/VNA)Tien Nhat (VNA/Vietnam+)