Designer of Independence Day on September 2nd

Architect Ngo Huy Quynh (standing 2nd from right) at the meeting of the organizing committee of Independence Day, September 2, 1945. (Photo: Nguyen Dinh Toan)

Architect Ngo Huy Quynh was born into a family of scholars in Hung Yen province. His childhood was spent with books, and he soon showed his talent for painting. In 1938, he passed the entrance exam to the Indochina College of Fine Arts, a prestigious school that has trained many talented painters and architects for Vietnam and the world . Initially, he dreamed of becoming a painter, but then turned to architecture. This was the turning point that transformed him from a young man passionate about painting into a leading figure in the Vietnamese architectural industry.

Since his student days, architect Ngo Huy Quynh has participated in designing many projects, which still have artistic value and are recognized by professionals. Professor, Doctor, Architect Nguyen Quoc Thong, Chairman of the Architecture Council, Vietnam Association of Architects commented: It is very difficult to create architecture that reflects Asian and Vietnamese features in the project, but architect Ngo Huy Quynh has done it. His projects are both modern and imbued with the spirit of Eastern culture.

Among all the design works left by architect Ngo Huy Quynh, the design and construction drawing of the Independence Stage on September 2, 1945 is the work that left the most impression not only on him personally, but also bears the historical mark of the whole nation and of an era.

Painter Ngo Thanh Nhan, son of Mr. Ngo Huy Quynh, said: "On September 1, 1945, the Viet Minh Front met and assigned my father the task of designing the stage. The requirement was that the stage must be simple, solemn, and able to accommodate about thirty people. My father happily accepted and immediately cycled to Ba Dinh Square to survey. After that, he drew three models, and that afternoon he was invited to present them and the drawings were sent to President Ho Chi Minh for approval."

In less than 15 hours, with the contribution of many people, the Independence Stage was completed. In his memoirs, architect Ngo Huy Quynh described the project: The stage was over 4m high, with a flagpole over 10m high. The structure had four trapezoidal sides covered in red cloth, with a five-pointed star in the middle. The stage was covered in yellow cloth, with two large wooden incense burners on either side. While the ceremony was taking place, he stood alone below, observing the load-bearing points of the wooden frame structure. Alone in the red space of the stage, he felt himself "stronger" in intelligence and emotion when standing at the feet of Uncle Ho.

According to architect Ngo Toan Thang, his son, the stage is considered the first architectural work of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. It has both a modern feel and an ancient image, for example the image of the Ho Dynasty Citadel with its strong, splayed base, which was incorporated very coherently and firmly by architect Ngo Huy Quynh.

Professor, Doctor, architect Nguyen Quoc Thong commented that the project was completed very quickly, simple but exudes the spirit of a stage for the day of independence declaration. The good thing is that it is not like any stage to learn from, but a unique creation, making people feel close but solemn.

On September 2, 1945, in addition to his role as designer, architect Ngo Huy Quynh also directly held a gun with his comrades in the Northern Secret Service to protect the stage. In his memoir, he wrote: When Uncle Ho walked down from the stage, his heart beat faster, because he felt he was a citizen of an independent country. "My father often said that participating in the design of the stage on Independence Day was an incomparable pride. He did not consider it his own work, but considered it a small contribution to the Fatherland at the most important moment," shared artist Ngo Thanh Nhan, Mr. Quynh's son.

Nowadays, when mentioning the Independence Palace, people not only remember a historical work, but also remember the architect who devoted all his heart, talent and patriotism to contribute to creating the most sacred moment of the nation.

The Independence Stage is the work that started the career of a young architect. Along with this design, he also planned the center of Ba Dinh Square, the National Assembly House... After independence, architect Ngo Huy Quynh continued his revolutionary activities while contributing to the architecture and education industry. In the perception of his students, he was an exemplary, dedicated teacher, both knowledgeable in scientific research and kind in daily life. Many generations of Vietnamese architects consider him a role model in terms of career and personality.

According to Professor, Doctor, Architect Nguyen Quoc Thong, Professor Ngo Huy Quynh's contributions are reflected in many aspects. He is the founder of the Vietnam Association of Architects and the first Editor-in-Chief of the Architecture Magazine. He left behind many books on architecture and urban planning that are valuable to this day.

With more than 60 years of dedication, Professor and architect Ngo Huy Quynh has been awarded many noble prizes by the Party and State: State Prize for Literature and Arts, Third-class Independence Medal, Third-class Resistance Medal, First-class Resistance Medal against America for National Salvation.

KINGDOM

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nguoi-thiet-ke-le-dai-doc-lap-ngay-29-post905457.html