(VOVworld)- Several community cultural and art performances took place during the just-ended Hue Festival 2014. Festival goers are not only audiences but also the host of cultural activities.

Thai dragon dance- Photo:thanhnien.com.vn

Various colourful and exciting community art performances were held throughout the central city last week with hundreds of spectators gathering around outdoor stages excited for interesting performances. Phan Cuc Hoa lives 10 km from the city centre but joined the performances every night with her family: “I have rare chances to see such performances. I come here with my children. The dancers dance very beautifully. They sing and dance in several places. I like this small stage because I can see the performances more clearly”.

Performance by Rio en Caribe of Columbia- Photo:thanhnien.com.vn

Stages were set up in public places to treat audiences to beautiful dances and music performed by art troupes of various countries in the world. Sri Lanka’s Ranranga troupe showcased its unique Ves dance which reflects Sri Lankan people’s wish for harmony and peace. Columbia’s Rio en Caribe troupe entertained the audience with exciting traditional songs while comedies of the Republic of Korea’s Yangpyeong troupe made audiences laugh. Tran Thi Ly Ly is a student of Hue Education University: “I can see with my own eyes lively performances on the streets instead of on TV. What I have read on books I can now see on the street. I can also meet and talk with foreign artists. It is very interesting”.

Drum performance by Japan's Bali-Holic band

Greta Kelly, a member of Australia’s Deep Blue band, attended the Hue festival for the first time: "It seems to me that the Vietnamese audiences get into use a lot more. They clap and they cheer, and the more impressive is their enjoyment of the music. I think, for me, the festival, of course, the most special thing about it is their setting. We're very pleased to surrounded by the grass, trees, and of course, historical buildings, the temples and the shrines. It seems to me the most special thing about the Hue festival so far"

This was the second time that street festivals were held at Hue Festival. This year, parade troupes from East Asia and Latin America, stilt-walkers from Belgium, and musicians from Finland made Hue festival more exciting.

Manfled is a German visitor: "It has been one hour since I came here. It's really exciting for me and my sister seeing some Belgian artists over there. That's nice."

Artists from Malaysia

The festive atmosphere prevails all over Hue, at the imperial citadel, in parks and even in schools and hospitals. Cristian Andress is from Chile’s Los Andes art troupe: "Vietnamese people are very joyful. They showed a lot of love so we tried to do the best so they can see us. We feel very happy because of the people. We know a lot of performances that you have to pay, but this is for free for the people. So we love it"

At this year’s festival, both Vietnamese and foreign art troupes brought their shows to villages in Phu Vang, Phu Loc districts and Nam Dong and A Luoi mountain areas which are far away from Hue.

At the end of the Hue Festival 2014, more than 100 outdoor performances were held to entertain local people and visitors. These impressive performances and friendly artists and audiences make the festival unforgettable.