Vietnamese cultural space delights South African people
The Vietnamese cultural space in South Africa opened the series of "Vietnam Day” events abroad, in 2023 and was the first time this cultural diplomacy activity came to Africa.
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| South Africans visit and learn about printing techniques for Dong Ho paintings, which were instructed by artisan Nguyen Dang Tam. (Photo: Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO) |
The 2023 Vietnam Day in South Africa, which took place in Pretoria Capital City of South Africa, on September 14-15, highlighted the image of Vietnam as rich in identity and full of vitality, attracting a large number of South African people to visit and experience.
The event, with the message of “Origins, Vitality and Continuity”, was held on the occasion of the official visit to South Africa by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, from September 14-17.
If “Origins” is an introduction to international friends, “Vitality” is an explanation for today’s Vietnam full of energy, dynamism and friendliness and “Continuity” is the conclusion that the cultural space wants viewers to imagine Vietnam's future, through the way the young generation deals with traditional values.
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| Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Hoang Huu Anh introduces the photo exhibition “Vietnam's Vitality”. (Photo: Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO) |
At the event, the message of “Origins” was expressed through world cultural heritage sites in Vietnam recognised by UNESCO, in the photo series themed “Vietnam’s Vitality” with traditional festivals and life activities, imbued with the identity of a wet rice civilisation, or in Dong Ho folk paintings.
The theme of “Vitality” was expressed through the photo exhibition “Vietnam’s Vitality”, introducing a beautiful and modern country with happy and optimistic people. The vitality of Vietnam today was also recreated through large-scale lacquer paintings depicting the scenery of Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi) in four seasons, by artist Tran Anh Tuan and interactive and experiential activities.
It is impossible not to mention the “Continuity” of traditional cultural values of Vietnam that have been accepted, honoured and spread by young people. The exhibition featured royal costumes of the Nguyen Dynasty by young people and the performance of artisans from Dong Ho and Xuan La craft villages, who are following their ancestors to preserve the traditional values, which drew the great attention of viewers.
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| Artisan Dang Dinh Thuong introduces the way to make ‘to he’. (Photo: Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO) |
The experience of dressing in Vietnamese ancient costumes, taking photos, and making ‘to he’ (toy figurines made from glutinous rice powder), was also highly appreciated.
The Vietnamese cultural space in South Africa opened the series of "Vietnam Day” events abroad, in 2023 and was the first time this cultural diplomacy activity came to Africa. Vietnam Cultural Space will be held in France and Japan, in October and November.
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