Hue gears up for Vesak Celebration
The central province of Thua Thien-Hue is preparing for the largest ever Buddha Day in Hue city from May 12 to 19.
The celebration will be held at 8 districts and Hue city, on 19 major stages. As the centre of the celebration, Hue will host three stages at Tu Dam and Dieu De pagodas and Thuong Bac park.
A Buddha march will take place in the evening on May 18, going from Dieu De pagoda to Tu Dam pagoda on a 4km road, which will be decorated with lotus-shaped lanterns, flags, flowers, banners, etc. under the guidance of the Central Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee and the organising board of the UN Vesak Celebration 2008. The march is expected to gather from 5,000 to 7,000 Buddhists.
In the evening on May 17 and 19, a flower parade will be organised with 70 flower cars. On the Huong River, 20 flower boats will parade during the whole week of celebration. The organisers will float seven lotuses which are 3.2m high on the river to symbolise the Buddha seven steps.
At the stage located in Thuong Bac Park, senior monks and professors will give presentations about Buddhism as well as music performances from May 12-16.
On Nguyen Dinh Chieu street, which is for pedestrians only, photos with the theme œVietnam landscapes by Nguyen Thinh and Thuy Hong will be hung along the street.
A food fair to introduce Hue vegetarian cuisine will be held at the Festival Tourism Service Centre.
Pagodas in Thua Thien-Hue will be also busy with various activities during this week of celebration.
With the largest investment and largest scale so far, the UN Vesak Celebration in Hue will be an impressive event.
Source Vietnamnet