Along with the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) and the lotus flower—two distinctive cultural symbols—are calligraphic works depicting the exquisite verses from Nguyen Du's * Truyen Kieu * (The Tale of Kieu). These cultural symbols blend together, honoring and creating an unprecedented viewing experience for those who love Vietnamese heritage and culture.
The event, jointly organized by the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Preservation Support Fund, the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and Scientific Activities Center, and Sen House Vietnam Company, honors the humanistic values in the thought of the great poet Nguyen Du and the Vietnamese cultural identity through the image of the lotus flower.
Interestingly, this is the opening activity in a series of events aimed at spreading the culture of the Tale of Kieu, which is expected to continue to expand widely in the near future.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Preservation Support Fund, Head of the Vietnam Ao Dai Heritage Club, and President of Sen House Vietnam Company, said: “The exhibition introduces 32 calligraphy works, mostly featuring distinctive verses from Nguyen Du's *Truyen Kieu*, especially those verses that directly mention or evoke the image of the lotus flower with subtle metaphorical value.”
The exhibition space also features a portrait of the great poet Nguyen Du, crafted from dried lotus leaves and placed in a special design, helping viewers visualize the study of a humble yet noble Confucian scholar.
At the exhibition, visitors can also admire a number of unique handicrafts featuring the lotus flower, vivid evidence that "lotus culture" has become an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam shared that, from her love for the lotus flower that embodies the Vietnamese soul to her role as a lotus collector, she has organized many exhibitions promoting the beauty of the lotus flower. The cultural space "Lotus and Kieu" seems to have come to her by chance, bringing profound emotions.
“Nguyen Du left behind the immortal masterpiece, The Tale of Kieu . The lotus flower and the ao dai are distinctive symbols in the flow of Vietnamese culture. Through this exhibition, I hope to send to viewers, especially young people, a message about spreading unique values through traditional cultural symbols in the soul of the Vietnamese people…,” Ms. Tam emphasized.
The passionate collector also expressed that this exhibition is the beginning of a series of activities to promote the culture of the Tale of Kieu, a tour for students or those who love the Tale of Kieu to the homeland of Nguyen Du to better understand the cultural values that the great poet left behind.
"In particular, since The Tale of Kieu has been translated into 22 languages, I hope that one day I will be able to bring this exhibition along with the lotus-patterned ao dai dresses to introduce to the public of those countries...", Ms. Tam said.
Associate Professor Dr. Do Van Tru, Chairman of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association and Chairman of the Management Board of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Preservation Support Fund, shared that the Lotus and Kieu Cultural Space is an initiative of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Preservation Support Fund, directly led by Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam, a collector with the largest lotus collection in the country.
With unique perspectives stemming from a love of traditional culture, the exhibition demonstrates great appeal to the public and heritage lovers, right from its name.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Do Van Tru, the lotus and the Tale of Kieu combine to illustrate and complement each other, connecting generations and working together to promote Vietnamese cultural heritage.
As part of the event, attendees at the exhibition opening enjoyed a fashion show of the "Hanoi Lotus Colors" ao dai collection by designer Lan Huong.
“The portrait of Kieu is imbued with the pure fragrance of lotus flowers, a connection between love and nature, the universe, and the interplay of the cosmos. I have incorporated all these elements into each ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), contributing to the celebration of the graceful beauty of women in general and Kieu in poetry in particular,” designer Lan Huong expressed.
The exhibition will run until June 15, 2025. During this time, calligraphers will hold workshops, and young people and visitors can experience painting lotus flowers and writing verses from the Tale of Kieu.
Following the event is a series of meaningful activities in the Heritage Journey connecting and experiencing the culture of Kieu. The journey connecting the cultural heritage of Thang Long - Nghe An aims to help us better understand the cultural exchange between the two regions, contributing to the production of talented individuals for the homeland, connecting the past, present, and future.
In particular, the program offers a cultural experience based on the Tale of Kieu, a literary masterpiece by Nguyen Du, whose timeless values are expressed through various art forms.
The Heritage Journey connecting and experiencing the culture of Kieu, commemorating the 260th anniversary of the birth and the 205th anniversary of the death of the world-renowned cultural figure and national poet Nguyen Du, is organized by Sen House Vietnam, the Nguyen Tien Dien Family Council, ATIM Consulting, FYT-Viet Lotus, and the Bui Family Vietnamese Ao Dai Heritage Club.
“This is a meaningful and fascinating journey that will lead us to the heritage values of famous figures, providing us with core values to maintain and promote the fine traditions of a family lineage, and explaining the mysteries of this land of outstanding people and rich history…,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/chieu-sau-cot-cach-tinh-than-van-hoa-viet-141506.html
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