On November 2, the People's Committee of Ia Grai district opened the Dugout Canoe Racing Festival on the Po Co River to compete for the A Sanh Cup and the 2024 Ia Grai District Gong Culture Festival in Dang village, Ia O commune.
This year’s boat racing festival attracted 43 participating teams (an increase of 4 teams compared to last year). In addition to the racing teams from communes, towns, schools, and military units located in Ia Grai district, there were also a number of teams from the border districts of Duc Co (Gia Lai) and Ia H’Drai district (Kon Tum).
Each team of 2 athletes will compete fiercely on the 2,000m track. Taking place in parallel with the boat racing festival is the Ia Grai district gong culture festival with many special performances.
There are 13 gong troupes, each with 45 artisans and actors participating in the festival.
The art troupes recreate the community living space and Central Highlands folk festivals through unique traditional gong songs of their own choosing such as: Celebrating new rice, offering drops of water, po thi (leaving graves), celebrating the Central Highlands victory...
On this occasion, Ia Grai district also organized 26 booths to introduce typical OCOP products of the border region and many products of the Se San River.
Mr. Le Ngoc Quy - Chairman of Ia Grai District People's Committee said: "The dugout canoe racing festival on Po Co River for the A Sanh Cup and the Ia Grai District Gong Culture Festival in 2024 are annual activities to preserve and promote the unique cultural heritage of long-time residents in the district".
This is also an opportunity for Ia Grai district to promote its image and introduce to visitors from near and far the rich cultural history and tourism resources of the district.
