Mai An Tiêm festival 2019 was held on April 16-17 in Thanh Hoa province’s Nga Son district (the 12th – 13th of the third lunar month).
According to legend, Mai An Tiêm was an adopted child of the 18th Hùng King. By misunderstanding, he was exiled to a desert island by his father where he discovered watermelon seeds and began to grow the fruit and made the island prosperous.
Over thousands of year, the image of Mai An Tiêm has been recognized as a symbol of the hardworking, creative and self-reliant spirit of Vietnamese people.
For gratitude, local people in Nga Son district built a temple in Nga Phu commune to worship Mai An Tiêm. The temple festival aims to honor Mai An Tiêm who transformed the desert island into a prosperous land.
Secretary of Nga Son district Party’s Committee Mai Văn Hải beats the drum to open the festival
The festival this year featured both religious rituals including a procession and incense offerings, festive events such as camping, volleyball, tug-of-war, cock fighting, human chess and art performances, etc.
NL (baodansinh.vn)
