Preserving the passion for Han Nom calligraphy

The calligraphy performance introduces the public to the art of calligraphy.

“Every year peach blossoms bloom
See the old man again
Display ink red paper
On the crowded street...”

Nowadays, the art of calligraphy with Chinese ink and red paper is not only associated with the image of scholars, but more and more young men and women are passionate about this elegant hobby. Many people with extensive knowledge of Han Nom calligraphy are actively contributing to preserving and spreading the beauty of national culture.

For more than 10 years, the Quynh Phu Han Nom Calligraphy Club, located at Thien Phuc Pagoda, Quynh Hoi Commune (Quynh Phu), has been a gathering place for hundreds of members. Regardless of age or profession, members are not only from Quynh Phu District but also from districts and cities in and outside the province. Regularly on weekends, rain or shine, winter or summer, the Club maintains classes teaching Han Nom calligraphy. To write calligraphy in Han and Nom characters, the writer needs to understand the meaning of the characters, have a deep knowledge base of combining and distributing shapes, and creating the shape of the characters through each stroke. From the brush pen, the calligrapher's strokes can create artistic strokes, sometimes large, sometimes small, sometimes very slender, graceful, curvy, sometimes strong, decisive, solid, and sharp. The strokes create rhythm, nuance, and soul for the calligraphy. Each lesson is not only about imparting knowledge but also an opportunity for students to better understand the traditional values that the art of calligraphy represents.

Mr. Bui Dang Tra, Head of the Quynh Phu Han Nom Calligraphy Club, shared: The purpose of the Club's calligraphy class is to preserve, conserve and promote the traditional beauty of the art of calligraphy. Calligraphy is not only familiar but also helps players understand more about the beauty of each word. In addition, calligraphy is also an art of nurturing the mind, training character, and aiming for balance in life.

In the meditative space of Thien Phuc Pagoda, the art of calligraphy is being passed down with inkstones and brushes, creating moments of peace in the soul, helping each person feel at peace with nostalgia and tradition. Although the golden age of calligraphy has passed, calligraphy enthusiasts still study and cultivate letters to beautify this art form. As one of the calligraphy artists in Hai Phong city, every week, Mr. Dao Trong Van travels nearly a hundred kilometers to participate in the calligraphy class of the Han Nom Quynh Phu Calligraphy Club. Mr. Van said: Because I really appreciate the ancient calligraphy of Mr. Bui Dang Tra, I chose to practice at the Club. Currently, I can go write and exchange calligraphy in many places, sharing my passion for the words of the sages.

As one of the youngest members of the Club, Dao Minh Cuong, a student of Han Nom, Hue University of Sciences , joined the Club in 2016. Cuong said that although he is young, he soon developed a passion and sense of responsibility for preserving the art of calligraphy, and strives to improve his skills. Currently, he is in charge of 1 online calligraphy class and 1 calligraphy class at Hue University of Sciences, contributing practically to spreading and inspiring passion to young people.

Vietnamese calligraphy is being welcomed by many people because of its close writing style, easy to read and easy to understand.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of its establishment, the Quynh Phu Han Nom Calligraphy Club organized an exhibition of 80 impressive calligraphy works by its members, exchanging with Han Nom calligraphy clubs inside and outside the province to help the club members appreciate and be more attached to the art of calligraphy. Especially, the performance of writing a 100m long book was held to honor the beauty of culture, introducing to the public an attractive art, a hobby loved by many people. Not only on each anniversary of the Club, Thien Phuc Pagoda is always the destination of many people passionate about the art of calligraphy, every day smelling the scent of ink from unique and impressive Han Nom calligraphy works. From there, it aims to contribute to preserving the ideological, ethical, cultural and aesthetic values contained in each calligraphy work.