Displaying calligraphic works used to decorate houses during Lunar New Year celebrations is a tradition of Vietnamese people (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn) Hanoi (VNA) - Paintings on Tet (Lunar New Year) have long been a fixtureof local celebrations, with flamboyant colours used to send New Year wishes.
Thisyear children will have a chance to discover traditional Tet paintings at Van(Literature) Lake, part of Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature –First National University) relics in Hanoi.
Startingfrom January 21, the programme will introduce a range of ancient paintinggenres from across the country, including Hang Trong and Kim Hoang (Hanoi), Dong Ho (the northernprovince of Bac Ninh), and Sinh Village (the central province of Thua Thien-Hue).
Visitorswill be able to see examples of the paintings, and learn to print and painttheir own under the instruction of artisans.
Theevent is part of a project called ‘Joining Children in Getting Creative’,launched by art critic Trang Thanh Hien from the Vietnam University of FineArts. The central aim of the project is to create a playground or art spacethat is dedicated to traditional values. Through it, children would learn moreabout traditional art and culture.
Folkpaintings are a combination of traditional cultural values and ancient artisticmethods, which have been created by past generations. Vietnamese folk paintingswere used to decorate houses during New Year celebrations, driving away eviland bringing good luck for the coming year.
"Wewant to maintain traditional activities in modern life, especially nurturingchildren’s love for traditional culture," Hiensaid.
“Asthe Year of Rooster is coming, the event will focus on folk paintings ofroosters.”
Besidethe discovery of folk paintings, the Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam Cultural andScientific Centre will also organise the Spring Calligraphy Festival as usual.
Ithas been a tradition for Hanoians when visiting the Temple of Literature tohave meaningful words written in calligraphy, with the hope of attracting goodluck in the New Year.
Onred or yellow do (poonah) papers, calligraphers write words in traditionalscript such as Phuc (Happiness), Loc (Prosperity) and Tho (Longevity) alongwith other sayings intended to bring good health, luck and prosperity for thosein attendance.
Thisyear, more than 100 calligraphers selected from clubs and writing competitionswill participate in the activity. Experienced calligraphers like Cung KhacLuoc, Nguyen The Anh and Nguyen The Luc will also attend the event.
Inthe framework of the festival, an exhibition of calligraphic works andtraditional crafts such as pottery, paper making, embroidery, wood carving andbronze casting will be organised.
LeXuan Kieu, Director of the centre, said the calligraphers, wearing ao dai (longrobes), will sit in 50 bamboo tents following traditional manners of the past.
“Weselect the calligraphers carefully. Only those who pass a qualifying test areeligible to join the activity, which will be strictly monitored by theorganiser to ensure visitors are overcharged.”
Theevents will take place from January 21 to February 11 at Van (Literature) Lake,Quoc Tu Giam street, Hanoi.-VNA
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