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
Hoa Binh province has carried out multiple programmes and initiatives to revive its cultural heritage which has gradually fallen into oblivion through the ebbs and flows of history.
The most prominent and defining feature in the prehistoric era of Hoa Binh is the Hoa Binh Culture. The Culture was first discovered in Hoa Binh. The significant prehistoric culture represents not only Vietnam but also Southeast Asia and southern China. Through excavations of cave sites in the limestone regions of Hoa Binh, French archaeologist M. Colani introduced the world to a "Stone Age in Hoa Binh province – Northern Vietnam" in 1927. On January 30, 1932, the First Congress of Far Eastern Prehistorians, held in Hanoi, officially recognised the Hoa Binh Culture.
Known as the "Land of Epic History”, Hoa Binh province, the gateway to Vietnam’s northwest, boasts a strategic location and a unique cultural tapestry woven by its ethnic minority communities.
The People's Committee of Luong Son District recently held a ceremony to receive the certificate recognizing Sau Communal House in Thanh Cao Commune as a provincial-level historical and cultural site.
Recognising the importance of cultural heritage preservation in protecting and promoting the value system of Vietnamese culture, and serving socio-economic development in the new period, Party committees and local administrations in Hoa Binh province have identified it as a key task in the cultural development strategy. The province has been making efforts in mobilising resources, creating consensus among people and engaging ethnic communities in preserving and promoting cultural identity.
Hoa Binh province has captured growing attention both domestically and internationally for its distinctive cultural heritage and rich history. Most notably, it has been renowned for its famous Hoa Binh culture, considered the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilisation. Looking ahead to significant milestones in 2025 and the 140th anniversary of province establishment in 2026, Hoa Binh Newspaper presents a comprehensive overview of the province's development across economic, social, cultural, tourism, and security domains.
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