Gia Lai province in Tay Nguyen ( Central Highlands ) is set to host the 2009 International Gong Festival in Pleiku city in the third quarter of this year.

The event is part of celebrations planned for the lead-up to the 1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi in 2010.

The festival is expected to attract the participation of gong troupes from five provinces in the Central Highlands, including Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong.

The festival marks an opportunity to promote the cultural value and music of the Central Highlands’ gongs to the rest of the country and the world. It also aims to promote the country’s socio-economic development, especially tourism./.

Fore reference, please see article The Cultural Space of Gong in Central Highland

(Source: VNA)

Central Highlands to host first world gong festival

The first world gong festival will take place from November 8 to 11 in Pleiku city the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai.  

Gong troupes from Vietnam, with several ethnic groups taking part, will give performances together with performers from regional countries such as Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia. 

The opening ceremony will involve about 3,000 performers in Pkeiku’s Revolutionary Square. The performance will tell a story about the history of the province and its ancient gong culture. 

During the festival, many activities, including religious rituals accompanied by gong orchestras, contests, seminars, and exhibitions, will be held.

The festival is to celebrate the Central Highlands’ gong culture, which was recognised by UNESCO as unique part of the world’s heritage in December 2005.