Mr. Bui Thanh Ha and Mr. Phan Ngoc Tho presenting flowers to the teams participating in the 2019 Hue Unicorn Dance Festival
This is the second time that the Hue Unicorn Dance Festival is held. This year, the number of participating teams has expanded, becoming an international event with the participation of famous unicorn, lion and dragon dance teams from Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. In addition, more than 60 teams across three regions of Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh and Ho Chi Minh City participated in the festival.
Hue Unicorn Dance Festival 2019 takes place in 2 nights, 7 and 8 of September, with two competition rounds: "Mai Hoa Thung" and "Nhat Dia Buu". On the first night, the audience was able to enjoy the performances in the “Mai hoa thung” round. Spectators gave rounds of applaud for the sophistication in each movement, the virtuosity in each performance, and the exciting and dramatic atmosphere of the performances up high.
Speaking at the opening of the festival, Mr. Le Huu Minh, Acting Director of the Department of Tourism expressed his hope that Hue is gradually asserting the title of Hue - the Festival City of Vietnam, gradually creating the image of Hue - the festival capital. The aim of Hue Unicorn Dance Festival is to bring about beautiful and bustling images of the atmosphere of the "Mid-Autumn Festival" season in the heart of the Imperial City. This is a unique festival that will be organized annually.
Drumming, singing and dances to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival prior to the competition rounds
Hue Unicorn Dance Festival 2019 is one in a series of unique festivals which creates an opportunity for unicorn dance teams to compete and for the local people and visitors to learn about this special art. The festival contributes to the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values. It also increases exchange and cooperation in performing traditional art forms.
At the end of the "Mai Hoa Thung" night, the first prize went to the Malaysian team; the second prize belonged to Hao Dung team (Ho Chi Minh City) and the Singapore team won third prize.
On the evening of September 8, the competition continues with the "Nhat Dia Buu” round.
Let's revisit the fascinating images on the night of "Mai Hoa Thung":
Thousands of local people and visitors came to enjoy the unicorn dances
The Hue Unicorn Dance Festival 2019 took place at Nghenh Luong Dinh in front of Phu Van Lau
Preparing to climb onto the columns
"Mai hoa thung" dance requires complicated techniques
Taking risks with the leaning forward stacking move
Dancing up high
Crouching to pick up flowers - an important move in the "Mai hoa thung" competition
Showing off their achievement after having picked up flowers
Dancing under "moonlight"
The Thai unicorn team performing a 5-person stacking move
Applauding the excellent performances
Story and photos: Duc Quang