France to host 2nd Long Bien Bridge Festival

After the success of the first Long Bien Bridge Festival in October 2009, the second will be jointly held by the Vietnam Embassy in France and the Maison des Art (House of Art) company to mark the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long –Hanoi.
The Maison des Art wants to use the image of the popular bridge in a display of culture and art. It will also organise a boat trip along the Red River from the ancient capital city of Hoa Lu in northern Ninh Binh province, to Hanoi, the northern port city of Hai Phong and Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh.
Urban Sax, a professional music events organiser, will create a boat using cranes to lift a dragon made in an S-shape to represent Vietnam.
Around 100 dancers from Vietnam and France will perform from sunset until dawn under a sky full of kites, illuminated from the river by a lighting system installed in numerous small boats.
The idea of the dragon boat originated from the legends of Vietnamese icons Lac Long Quan and Au Co.
When the boat docks under Long Bien Bridge, a dragon performance, accompanied by a blend of modern music and traditional music, will be held.
To promote the event, the Maison des Art will put on an exhibition in Paris with paintings and video installations by French artist Serra. Another art exhibition will be held with Long Bien Bridge as the theme.
The company will also organise a boat trip on the Seine river to draw the attention of French people.
By the end of January, the Maison des Art will meet with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee to finalise its plan.