(VOVWORLD) - A so-called “Oath Festival”, a folk festival about preventing and fighting corruption, was held on Friday at Hoa Lieu Temple and Pagoda Cultural and Historical Relic Area in Kien Thuy district, Hai Phong city.
 The master of the ceremony reads the oath at the ritual. |
Through the festival which originated during the Mac Dynasty, more than 500 years ago, people expressed their gratitude to the merits of Queen Mother Vu Thi Ngoc Toan, the wife of King Father Mac Dang Dung. She helped renovate the ancient Hoa Lieu pagoda in the 16th century and created an integrity statement.
“If you take public property to do public work, you will be supported by the gods. If you use authority to do evil things, take public property, and use it as private property, pray to God to kill you," according to the statement.
After the procession of dignitaries and village elders from Hoa Lieu temple to the ritual area, the master of ceremonies stood in front of the stage and swears to recite the statement. Next all attendants at the ceremony raised their hands and shouted, "Just like the oath."
Bui Thi Thuy Duong, a festival goer from Hai Phong, said, “It’s a very interesting and unique festival aimed to build a cultural, incorruptible lifestyle among officials, party members and people. I hope the cultural heritage will be preserved and further promoted.”
Taking place from the 14th to the 16th day of the first lunar month, the Oath Festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017.