Art & Entertainment 14/2 Youth from 60 countries gather in town “Global Village”, a cultural exchange between local and foreign students from 60 countries, took place at the Crescent Mall area in HCMC’s District 7 on Tuesday. The event, hosted by the International Association of Students in Economic and Commercial Sciences (AIESEC), was aimed at connecting youth from around the world by performing unique pieces of music, and introducing national cuisine and customs. Founded in 1948, AIESEC has more than 65 years of experience in developing highly potential youth into globally-minded responsible leaders. AIESEC is currently present in 124 countries and territories with more than 86,000 members. Can Tho triumph at national unicorn-lion-dragon dance event Can Tho's team triumphed at the National Unicorn-Lion-Dragon Dance Tournament, which concluded in Luu Huu Phuoc Park in the southern city of Can Tho, on Monday. The host team won four gold medals, three silvers and three bronzes, and were followed by Binh Duong and HCM City. This was the second time Can Tho hosted the two-day event, which drew nearly 400 athletes from 11 teams across the country, who competed in the men's and women's singles categories, as well as teams comprising both. Cruises to bring tourists to Da Nang during Tet The central city will host 3,200 tourists from cruises during Tet, the city's department of culture, sports and tourism said yesterday. Three cruisers, the Germini, Costa Victoria and Volendam, will dock at Tien Sa Port for exploring destinations in the city as well as Hoi An and Hue. Meanwhile, 14,000 visitors will land in the city via direct and chartered flights. The department will present lucky money to the first visitors at the port and airport. According to the department, 64,000 tourists have already booked rooms at resorts and hotels during the nine-day Tet festival. In 2014, Da Nang hosted four million tourists, including one million foreigners. Entertainment fills Da Nang throughout holiday The Viet Nam National Symphony Orchestra will perform a concert on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year (February 22) in the city's Trung Vuong Theatre. Another show of tuong, Viet Nam's classical drama performance will be held at Nguyen Hien Dinh Theatre and September 23rd Park from the eve to the third day of Lunar New Year (February 19-21). Dance troupes and pop bands will perform on the Han River Stage from February 15-25. On the eve of the new year, fireworks will be launched in Ngu Hanh Son, Hai Chau, Lien Chieu and Hoa Vang districts. Folk games and boat races will also be organised during the nine-day festival. Hoi An to celebrate Year of the Goat with fireworks The ancient town of Hoi An will organise a fireworks performance to begin the Lunar New Year festival at the An Hoi Sculpture Garden on the Hoai River on February 18. A series of cultural activities including calligraphy, tree growing, a flower market and folk games will be held at the Japanese Bridge, Hoai River Square and the old quarter of the tourism hub from February 18-28. Tourists can also join a traditional boat race in the Hoai River on February 24. Flower Street gets finishing touches More than 80 workers are making final preparations on the At Mui Flower Road on Ham Nghi Street for the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. Chiem Thanh Long, director of Binh Quoi Tourist Village, the main contractor of the At Mui Flower Road, said work was proceeding smoothly. "It was a little strange initially. There is some difference between Nguyen Hue and Ham Nghi streets, so we had to make some adjustments," Long said. In previous years, the Flower Street was set up on Nguyen Hue Street but it was moved to Ham Nghi because of construction work on a subway project. Flowers are being transported from Sa Dec, Da Lat and HCM City. Familiar scenes such as paddy farms, lotus ponds and bamboo hedges have been created along the street. Besides traditional scenes depicting the countryside, modern items such as product codes and metro lines have also been added. Exhibition on Vietnam-Russia friendship opens An exhibition highlighting the 65 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Russia kicked off at Ton Duc Thang Museum in Ho Chi Minh City on February 12. On display are more than 120 photos and documents presenting President Ho Chi Minh’s actions to consolidate and develop Vietnam’s friendship with the Soviet Union; the support of the Soviet Union in the past and Russia at present for Vietnam’s struggle for liberation and its nation-building and development process; and meetings and exchanges made by the leaders of the two countries. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Russian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Alexey Popov reaffirmed that over the past 65 years, the bilateral ties have been continuously consolidated with enhanced friendship and ensured mutual trust and respect. As comprehensive strategic partners, the two countries look to enjoy further cooperation. In 2015, Alexey Popov said that he will work to tighten the connections between Ho Chi Minh City and southern localities and Russia’s big cities in the light industry and seafood preservation. Russia will also grant roughly 2,000 scholarships for Vietnamese students to study abroad, he added. The exhibition will remain open until March 12. Calligraphy exhibition opens at Temple of Literature The annual Lunar New Year (TET) calligraphy exhibition, which has taken place for over a decade along Van Mieu Street in the Dong Da district of Hanoi, has been relocated this year to the Temple of Literature. As part of Tet tradition, over 100 calligraphers at the exhibition will write nice words in calligraphy for customers for a nominal fee in hopes of bringing health, prosperity, good luck, promotions and good academic results in the coming year. Along with the calligraphy writing activities, an exhibition themed “Encouraging Study” is showcasing 70 calligraphy works by famous calligraphers. Spring press festivals held across the country Spring press festivals are being held across the country to welcome Vietnam’s Lunar New Year and mark the 85th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). More than 800 editions of 260 newspapers are on display at the spring press festival in Ha Tinh province. The annual festival is a meeting venue for journalists and encourages them to do better in their career. 400 gifts were presented to policy beneficiaries, poor households and disadvantaged students with excellent academic results. The spring press festival opened in Quang Ngai province, showcasing more than 200 publications. On the occasion, the Ha Tinh provincial Journalists Association presented certificates and cash to 43 writers and groups of writers who had outstanding work in 2014.  VNS/SGT/ND/VOV