At Photo Hanoi'25, photos capturing the 1897 Huong exam in Nam Dinh will be exhibited in a unique bamboo space, inspired by the architecture of ancient examination schools.
The Hương exam is the core part of the Confucian examination system. The Đinh Dậu exam in 1897 took place in the context of Confucianism in Vietnam gradually declining and Chinese characters were gradually being replaced by the national language.
The displayed photos are rare documents that are still preserved, authentically conveying the solemn yet bustling atmosphere of the old examination school.
The exhibition “The Provincial Examinations at the End of the 19th Century” introduces precious photos by French photographer André Salles, capturing the atmosphere of the 1897 Provincial Examinations in Nam Dinh - one of the last examination events of the Nguyen Dynasty.
The exhibition brings viewers back to the atmosphere of the old examination school in 1897, where Vietnamese scholars embarked on a journey to find glory under the flag of the imperial examination.
The exhibition space is designed with architectural inspiration from ancient examination schools, giving viewers the feeling of entering a real "examination school".
In that space, black and white images over a hundred years old vividly recreate scenes of candidates taking exams, examiners, tents and typical symbols of the Confucian examination system.
Firmin-André Salles (1860-1929) was a French photographer who worked in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1896 to 1898. Using dry-panel photography, he captured images of exceptional sharpness and detail, providing a vivid view of life, landscapes, and cultural events in Vietnam in the late 19th century.
To enrich the exhibition, the Organizing Committee collaborated with local cultural experts to complete the perspective on the Huong exam and the characters in the photos.
In addition to displaying valuable photo archives, the exhibition also stimulates dialogue about the role of photography in historical awareness, while also hoping to bring useful knowledge about photographic techniques and the feudal education and examination system to the public.
With the combination of photographic materials, creative space and contemporary cultural perspective, “The Provincial Examinations at the End of the 19th Century” promises to become one of the impressive highlights of Photo Hanoi'25, bringing the audience a journey back to the past - where the spirit of learning and intellectual values have always been the source of Vietnamese identity.
The exhibition opens on November 6 and runs until November 30, at the Temple of Literature, Hanoi .
Source: https://congluan.vn/khoa-thi-huong-cuoi-the-ky-xix-qua-nhiep-anh-10316761.html
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