Kite festival preps to take off in October

Fly the friendly skies: Vietnamese craftsmen will show off their skills to compete at the First International Kite Festival, which is scheduled to be held in 2010 to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Ha Noi. — VNA/VNS Photos Trieu Do Cam and Tri Dung

HA NOI - The Ha Noi Open Kite Festival taking place this October will just be a taste of what’s to come, as the International Kite Festival in 2010 hopes to draw 30 countries to the capital city’s skyline.

The national festival will be a good trial for the International Kite Festival, according to organiser Ngo Hong Tien. The capital’s skyline will be brightened by various colours and designs of kites as the first International Kite Festival takes place to celebrate the 1,000th birthday of Thang Long, the ancient name of the country’s capital.

Festivities will take place in three of Ha Noi’s localities: My Dinh Square, Hong (Red) River’s floating land and Hoan Kiem Lake.

Enthusiasts will be able to head to My Dinh Square and Hoan Kiem Lake to watch the traditional and creatively designed kites take flight. The ideal locations will provide craftsmen plenty of opportunities to show off their designs while audiences can revel in watching the artistic beauties flutter in the sky.

International kite clubs will show their skills in flying uniquely designed two or four-string kites, said Tien, from the Ha Noi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

"We will also hold a day of kite fighting in the square. This is a traditional game in the Indian subcontinent and west Asia. I think the event is going to draw lots of people," said Tien.

Meanwhile, over at Hong River’s floating land, organisers plan to put up a traditional kite performance. Kites will fly in three levels. The north’s traditional kites, carrying bamboo flutes, will fly at a 300-500m height and visitors will be able to enjoy their melodious tunes and songs.

Traditional kites from Thailand, Malaysia, India, China and some European countries will be released at a height of 70-100m. For the finale, organisers hope to create a record by flying a dragon kite at a height of 1,000m, said Tien.

The heartbeat of the capital, Hoan Kiem Lake, will be the centre of the festival where one can watch the flying of two small dragon kites, as a symbol of Thang Long-Ha Noi’s sacred spirit.

Those who cannot wait that long to participate in the kite festival in 2010 can rest assured knowing that two smaller events on a similar theme will be held prior to the big day, said the organiser.

For this year’s event, Ha Noi is hoping to attract up to 300 kites and their flyers from kite clubs in the neighbouring provinces of Ninh Binh, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh and many others.

The event will be followed by the National Kite Festival which will be held in October 2009 that will lure kite clubs from across the nation.

Tien also revealed that organisers will offer about VND500,000 for the creation and design of each local/national kite participating in the event.

"We are waiting for financial aid and strong support from the city authorities," Tien said. — VNS