A legacy of kindness for future generations.

Statue of architect Kazik in Hoi An. Photo: TTVH.HA

Many years ago, while walking through Hoi An's old town at dawn, on the path leading to the Japanese Bridge, I saw a statue. Approaching closer, I realized it was a statue of the Polish architect Kazimierz Kwiatkousky (1944-1997).

People from Quang Nam province affectionately call him Kazik. He has made many contributions to the preservation of historical and archaeological sites in Hue , My Son Sanctuary, and Hoi An.

Kazik recognized the unique value of Hoi An ancient town. He actively campaigned for local authorities to implement conservation and restoration measures for the ancient city, while also striving to introduce Hoi An's distinctive features to the world .

By persistently pursuing the principle of "archaeological" restoration, Kazik made a significant contribution to Hoi An's official recognition as a World Heritage Site.

Sometime over 20 years ago, during a conversation with some officials, I casually considered the possibility: Would it be a good thing if the old town had a short stretch of road, or a statue, named after Kazik?

And, Hoi An built a park right in the heart of the old town, placing a bust of Kazimierz Kwiatkousky in December 2007 to commemorate his contributions. This also reflects the gratitude of the people of the old town towards the man who helped revive Hoi An from beneath the dust of time's oblivion.

I recall hearing rumors that Quang Nam province would erect statues of several figures in the My Son World Heritage site. Erecting statues is certainly the right thing to do.

At My Son, we must mention some unforgettable names. These include Henry Parmentier, Louis Finot, and Georges Maspero (French), who contributed to My Son, the Cham Museum in Da Nang, and other works related to Champa. And many others as well…

In July 2017, discussions arose in my hometown regarding this matter with four individuals who were considered for statues. These included Henri Parmentier (1870-1949), a Frenchman whose research on Champa was highly valuable.

The second person was Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dong (1907-1986), who played a key role in informing Philip Stewart to send a petition to the US President regarding the destruction of the My Son relics by the US Air Force.

Thirdly, Kazimier Kwiatkowski contributed significantly to the restoration of the My Son relics. And fourthly, Mr. Ho Nghinh (1915-2007), former Secretary of the Quang Nam - Da Nang Provincial Party Committee, played a key role in protecting the My Son valley in the late 1970s.

I'm rambling again, wondering who will be the author of these works? It seems like a small matter, but it's actually quite significant. Because everyone knows that in our country, there aren't many talented sculptors.

Over the years, there have been monuments and sculptures, but after completion, they were not at all aesthetically pleasing. Of course, such projects must have cost billions of dong!

It's a story I heard on the street, and it sounds plausible. That Quang Nam will choose worthy figures who have contributed to this land throughout the history of the Southern region to have statues erected in their honor.

To implement it, it certainly wouldn't be too expensive. Could we hold sculpture competitions to gradually produce truly memorable works?

Everything depends on the choices we make. Choosing wisely will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

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