The annual Spring Calligraphy Festival will be held at the Literature Lake, a part of the Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) on February 9-25.
Artists
display calligraphic skill (Photo: vov.vn)
For years, Hanoians have visited the Temple of Literature to have meaningful
words written in calligraphy, aiming to attract good fortune in the New Year.
The calligraphic works are then used to decorate their house during the New
Year celebration.
Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the the Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and
Scientific Centre, said the festival aims to promote traditional culture and
preserve the calligraphic art.
On red or yellow do (poonah) paper, they write words in traditional and
Vietnamese scripts intended to bring good health, luck and prosperity for those
in attendance.
This year, 55 calligraphers who are members of calligraphic clubs and selected
from a writing competition will perform the writing.
The artists, wearing ao dai (long robes), will sit in bamboo tents following
the traditions of the past.
One highlight of the festival is an exhibition of 35 calligraphic works written
in Vietnamese and Han-Nom scripts. The writings follow the theme of talent and
righteousness to honour the tradition of learning.
In the framework of the festival, an exhibition of traditional crafts such as
pottery, paper making, embroidery, wood carving and bronze casting will be
held.
Visitors can also learn about poonah paper and how it’s made. Beside
calligraphy, poonah paper is also used to print folk paintings and colourful
Dong Ho, Kim Hoang and Hang Trong paintings.
The festival will also feature traditional New Year food, such as chung (glutinous
rice) cakes and spring rolls, as well as art performances like cheo
(traditional opera), hat van (spiritual singing in Mother Goddesses worship),
quan ho (love duets), hat xoan (spring singing from Phu Tho province) and ca
tru (ceremonial singing).
Folk games will be available for children and visitors can also release flower
lanterns to the Literature Lake to wish for good things.
The events are taking place from January 21 to February 11 at Van (Literature)
Lake, Quoc Tu Giam street, Hanoi.
Source: VNA
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.
.jpg)
