As many as 31 troupes of performers and artists from 24 ethnic minority groups in Phu Yen flocked to a festival of culture, sports and tourism on June 30 to prepare for the National Tourism Year that the central province will host in 2011.

The attendance of a group of folk performers from Chungbuk province in the Republic of Korea, which has set up sisterly relations with Phu Yen, has made the festival the biggest of its kind so far in the province. The troupe performs using a combination of drum dances, folk songs and calligraphy.

Members of the Ede, Bana and Cham H’Roi ethnic minorities brought to the festival their unique musical tradition of Gong performance, which has been recognised by the UNESCO as a part of the world’s cultural heritage. Their sisters and brothers from the Tay and Nung ethnic minorities showed up to treat crowds to Arap folk dances.

Fashion shows, showcasing the traditional costumes of different ethnic minority cultures, made the opening day of the festival brilliantly colourful.

Competitions of traditional sports and games such as stick pulling, tug-of-war, archery and chess, as well as folk song and dance performances, carnivals, exhibitions of artefacts and culinary arts, are expected to make the rest of the four-day festival even more exciting. (VNA)