Monday, December 22, 2008

Festival in Binh Dinh recalls peasant revolt


The march was led by insurgent women with bows and swords followed by a retinue armed with steel weapons. In the middle, the legendary Emperor Quang Trung rode an elephant, leading a herd of battle-elephants accompanied by royal mandarins and commanders with flags and banners.

Emperor Quang Trung’s was well-known for his unusual troop formations before battle. His soldiers marched in threes, two carrying the third in a hammock, all taking turns. The march ended with this unique image and was followed by a large flag with the words ‘Great Cause’, surrounded by 30 smaller flags, appearing on centre-stage.

The opening ceremony included a three-part performance: Binh Dinh-A Beloved Land; Tay Son Spirit and Renewal-Integration and Development.

Binh Dinh-A Beloved Land introduced the special beauty of this coastal province and its people. Binh Dinh is renowned as the land of martial arts and the birthplace of tuong (classical opera).

Tay Son Spirit remembered the Tay Son movement through four key performances: the first moment of the Tay Son insurgency; Quang Trung’s defeat of 50,000 Siamese troops; the coronation of Emperor Quang Trung and his declaration to combat Chinese Qing invaders; and finally, liberation.

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