In Viet Nam’s PhùĐổng Commune, the Saint Gióng Festival is a vibrant UNESCO-recognized heritage event honoring one of Viet Nam's Four Immortals. It is held annually from the 6th to 12th day of the 4th lunar month, featuring grand traditional re-enactments of ancient battles against invaders.
During the festival, participants celebrated traditional performances using props like bamboo banners and paper horses as well as water processions and ritual offerings honoring the mythical hero who saved the country.
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In Viet Nam’s PhùĐổng Commune, the Saint Gióng Festival is a vibrant UNESCO-recognized heritage event honoring one of Viet Nam's Four Immortals. It is held annually from the 6th to 12th day of the 4th lunar month, featuring grand traditional re-enactments of ancient battles against invaders.
During the festival, participants celebrated traditional performances using props like bamboo banners and paper horses as well as water processions and ritual offerings honoring the mythical hero who saved the country.
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In Hong Kong, 12 finalists climbed to the top of a 14-metre-high tower covered in 9,000 plastic steamed buns for the final of the annual Bun Festival on Cheung Chau Island. On Sunday, the Bun Scrambling Competition, along with an array of local activities including lion dancing and lighting up lanterns, draws both local residents and tourists.
Steamed buns adorned with the Chinese characters for "peace" and "safety" were sold, and children in colorful costumes took part in a parade. Real buns were used for the competition in the past but replicas are used now due to hygiene and safety concerns.
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In Hong Kong, 12 finalists climbed to the top of a 14-metre-high tower covered in 9,000 plastic steamed buns for the final of the annual Bun Festival on Cheung Chau Island. On Sunday, the Bun Scrambling Competition, along with an array of local activities including lion dancing and lighting up lanterns, draws both local residents and tourists.
Steamed buns adorned with the Chinese characters for "peace" and "safety" were sold, and children in colorful costumes took part in a parade. Real buns were used for the competition in the past but replicas are used now due to hygiene and safety concerns.
mitv
About 400 men and women wearing samurai armor have paraded through a city on horseback in a traditional festival in Japan's Fukushima Prefecture. The annual Soma Nomaoi festival is said to have a history of more than 1,000 years. It has been designated by the government as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
On Sunday, the second day of the three-day event, 386 people aged from 2 to 91 rode horses for about 2 kilometers in the center of Minamisoma City. Last year, the organizers dropped a condition that had limited participation to unmarried women under 20. This year's parade had 48 women riders.
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About 400 men and women wearing samurai armor have paraded through a city on horseback in a traditional festival in Japan's Fukushima Prefecture. The annual Soma Nomaoi festival is said to have a history of more than 1,000 years. It has been designated by the government as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
On Sunday, the second day of the three-day event, 386 people aged from 2 to 91 rode horses for about 2 kilometers in the center of Minamisoma City. Last year, the organizers dropped a condition that had limited participation to unmarried women under 20. This year's parade had 48 women riders.
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Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Than Maung met with ethnic literature and cultural associations in Kayin State at the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs office in Hpa-An on Saturday.
During the meeting, the Union Minister discussed cooperation for ethnic literature and cultural preservation, registration of cultural associations, protection of traditional costumes and promotion of unity, peace and regional development among ethnic groups. Representatives from Kayin, Mon, Bamar, Pa-O and Shan ethnic associations discussed regional development, cultural activities, difficulties in association registration and challenges faced by ethnic language teachers.
The Union Minister coordinated necessary support and provided honorary rewards to ethnic literature and cultural associations.
Later, he met with the staff at the Kayin State office and urged them to carry out their duties responsibly. Officials also presented ongoing and future work plans for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
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Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Than Maung met with ethnic literature and cultural associations in Kayin State at the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs office in Hpa-An on Saturday.
During the meeting, the Union Minister discussed cooperation for ethnic literature and cultural preservation, registration of cultural associations, protection of traditional costumes and promotion of unity, peace and regional development among ethnic groups. Representatives from Kayin, Mon, Bamar, Pa-O and Shan ethnic associations discussed regional development, cultural activities, difficulties in association registration and challenges faced by ethnic language teachers.
The Union Minister coordinated necessary support and provided honorary rewards to ethnic literature and cultural associations.
Later, he met with the staff at the Kayin State office and urged them to carry out their duties responsibly. Officials also presented ongoing and future work plans for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
mitv
Union Minister for Hotels, Tourism, and Culture U Maung Myint visited Sri Kshetra Ancient city in Bago Region on Friday, to inspect cultural heritage sites, Archaeological Museum, and the Archaeological Training School. He also met with local tourism operators to discuss the development of tourism.
The Union Minister later inspected the viewing platforms and instructed to install clear information boards for visitors. He also inspected post-earthquake restoration works at the Baw Baw Gyi Pagoda and other heritage sites, emphasizing careful preservation without damaging original structures.
At the Archaeological Training School, the Union Minister observed training programs, archaeological research, and Thermoluminescence dating procedures, stressing safety for staff and proper scientific methods.
The Union Minister also met with officials and hotel operators, highlighting that being a World Heritage site, Sri Kshetra attracts domestic and international tourists. He encouraged joint efforts to promote cultural tourism while protecting heritage sites.
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Union Minister for Hotels, Tourism, and Culture U Maung Myint visited Sri Kshetra Ancient city in Bago Region on Friday, to inspect cultural heritage sites, Archaeological Museum, and the Archaeological Training School. He also met with local tourism operators to discuss the development of tourism.
The Union Minister later inspected the viewing platforms and instructed to install clear information boards for visitors. He also inspected post-earthquake restoration works at the Baw Baw Gyi Pagoda and other heritage sites, emphasizing careful preservation without damaging original structures.
At the Archaeological Training School, the Union Minister observed training programs, archaeological research, and Thermoluminescence dating procedures, stressing safety for staff and proper scientific methods.
The Union Minister also met with officials and hotel operators, highlighting that being a World Heritage site, Sri Kshetra attracts domestic and international tourists. He encouraged joint efforts to promote cultural tourism while protecting heritage sites.
mitv
Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Than Maung met with ethnic literature and cultural associations in Yangon on May 20.
The meeting was attended by the Kayin and Rakhine Ethnic Affairs Ministers and other officials. The meeting discussed ongoing and future projects related to ethnic affairs, education in native languages, cultural activities, and traditional festivals. Union Minister U Than Maung pledged continued coordination and support, and grants were awarded to the ethnic literature and cultural associations in Yangon.
mitv
Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Than Maung met with ethnic literature and cultural associations in Yangon on May 20.
The meeting was attended by the Kayin and Rakhine Ethnic Affairs Ministers and other officials. The meeting discussed ongoing and future projects related to ethnic affairs, education in native languages, cultural activities, and traditional festivals. Union Minister U Than Maung pledged continued coordination and support, and grants were awarded to the ethnic literature and cultural associations in Yangon.
mitv
Thousands of monks and participants march with lanterns in Seoul during the Lotus Lantern Festival, a festival to celebrate Buddha’s birthday. The parade took place on May 16, 2026 in Seoul. Tens of thousands of participants marched carrying nearly 100,000 handmade lanterns.
The festival celebrates the upcoming birthday of Buddha, which in South Korea falls on May 24. The festival is called Yeondeunghoe, a tradition with more than 1,200 years of history and recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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Thousands of monks and participants march with lanterns in Seoul during the Lotus Lantern Festival, a festival to celebrate Buddha’s birthday. The parade took place on May 16, 2026 in Seoul. Tens of thousands of participants marched carrying nearly 100,000 handmade lanterns.
The festival celebrates the upcoming birthday of Buddha, which in South Korea falls on May 24. The festival is called Yeondeunghoe, a tradition with more than 1,200 years of history and recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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Thailand's Royal Ploughing Ceremony is a sacred, centuries-old Buddhist ritual that marks the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. Held annually in May in Bangkok, it honors farmers, and predicts agricultural and economic condition. This year, the ceremony was led by Vinaroj Sapsongsuk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, acting as Lord of the Plough.
Following the ritual ploughing, the Lord of the Plough sowed rice seeds in the ceremonial grounds. Once the formal ceremony concluded, crowds of spectators rushed into the ploughed area to gather the lucky rice seeds sown during the ritual, believing them to bring prosperity and a good harvest to their own farms.
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Thailand's Royal Ploughing Ceremony is a sacred, centuries-old Buddhist ritual that marks the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. Held annually in May in Bangkok, it honors farmers, and predicts agricultural and economic condition. This year, the ceremony was led by Vinaroj Sapsongsuk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, acting as Lord of the Plough.
Following the ritual ploughing, the Lord of the Plough sowed rice seeds in the ceremonial grounds. Once the formal ceremony concluded, crowds of spectators rushed into the ploughed area to gather the lucky rice seeds sown during the ritual, believing them to bring prosperity and a good harvest to their own farms.
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Thousands of Chinese worshipers and visitors gathered on Meizhou Island in Fujian Province to celebrate the 1,066th anniversary of the birth of Mazu. The celebration marked the birthday of the sea goddess featuring dramatic rituals including an eight-row dance, ancient music, and massive, traditional sacrificial offerings.
This grand ceremony held at the Meizhou Mazu Temple included traditional and high-energy rites, highlighting enduring cultural ties across the Chinese Taiwan Strait. Mazu, born on Meizhou Island during the Song Dynasty, is the goddess of the sea who protects sailors and fishermen, with her worship inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
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Thousands of Chinese worshipers and visitors gathered on Meizhou Island in Fujian Province to celebrate the 1,066th anniversary of the birth of Mazu. The celebration marked the birthday of the sea goddess featuring dramatic rituals including an eight-row dance, ancient music, and massive, traditional sacrificial offerings.
This grand ceremony held at the Meizhou Mazu Temple included traditional and high-energy rites, highlighting enduring cultural ties across the Chinese Taiwan Strait. Mazu, born on Meizhou Island during the Song Dynasty, is the goddess of the sea who protects sailors and fishermen, with her worship inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
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The historic Damascus Citadel hosted the “Damascus Rose and Heritage” festival, bringing together traditional crafts and artistic performances in an effort to revive Syrian cultural heritage.
The festival featured dozens of booths showcasing a variety of handmade crafts, including Damascene brocade, mosaics, hand-blown glass, pottery, and copperware. The event also included a range of artistic and folkloric performances inspired by Damascene heritage as well as musical evenings and interactive workshops with artisans.
The festival was part of a series of cultural and tourism events aiming to revitalize cultural activity and highlight the historical and heritage landmarks of Damascus.
mitv
The historic Damascus Citadel hosted the “Damascus Rose and Heritage” festival, bringing together traditional crafts and artistic performances in an effort to revive Syrian cultural heritage.
The festival featured dozens of booths showcasing a variety of handmade crafts, including Damascene brocade, mosaics, hand-blown glass, pottery, and copperware. The event also included a range of artistic and folkloric performances inspired by Damascene heritage as well as musical evenings and interactive workshops with artisans.
The festival was part of a series of cultural and tourism events aiming to revitalize cultural activity and highlight the historical and heritage landmarks of Damascus.
mitv