Kannawidan Festival

                                             " KANNAWIDAN FESTIVAL"


              Ilocos Sur's Festival aimed to promote and preserve the culture and heritage of the province is set to kick off.Locals revived traditional practices that Ilocano elders passed on in the annual Kannawidan Ylocos festival from January 29 to February 3. Now on its fourth year, the Kannawidan  festival was also an occasion to strengthen the Ilocano culture, recognize Ilocos Sur’s sons and daughters who brought honor to their province, celebrate abundant harvest or just to celebrate the Ilocano spirit that continues to drive locals to boost their home province. Various festivities were staged from trade, agriculture, aqua and livestock while a display of farm products opened the six-day festival. To carve young talents in the field of arts, an array of talent competitions gathered the youth from choral, marching bands, traditional street dancing, traditional music ensemble , dance drama, traditional folk dancing , painting, design making and photo exhibits.This event we can promote our products and make them experience our precious culture at this rate this will increase the popularity of our province but the aim of this festival is to create awareness on the preservation of the province’s rich cultural heritage, practices and traditions, and a showcase of the different agricultural and industry products and also to be preserved for the next generations.There was the tribal performance of the cultural communities of Ilocos Sur which is so fascinating. They displayed their talents as well as their indigenous costumes. Partuat ken Patanor Trade Fair showcased the products of the province such as longanisa, bagnet, garlic, bibingka, tinubong and many other foods including handicrafts. There was even eating contests of these delicacies of Ilocos Sur as well as basi drinking contest. Traditional games were played and bingo as well. There were Sarsuela and Komedya Ilocana which were shown. Choir competition was also held.
              A battle of brains and beauty was witnessed during the Saniata ti Ilocos Sur pageant. Art exhibitions and competitions were also conducted. On the spot painting was done by the Saturday group from Manila while The Ilocandia Photographic Society put up its photography exhibit at the Archbishop’s Palace.
It was a fun-filled week of celebration of the Kannawidan Festival in Ilocos Sur.The festival derives it's name from the ilocano term kannawidan meaning traditional that aims to revive and promote the ilocano arts and crafts.