Special experiences at the exhibition "A strip of mountains and rivers"

"A strip of mountains and rivers" is a rare exhibition that lasts for a month (from August 15 to September 15) in the Hoan Kiem Lake area on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2. In addition to admiring photos and books, the space also opens up many rare experiences that make viewers feel nostalgic and emotional.

Model of a ship checked in at Hoan Kiem Lake.

The exhibition takes place at the Ho Guom Cultural Information Center (No. 2 Le Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi ), in addition to visitors, it also regularly welcomes veterans and soldiers.

Each person brings their own memories and stories. There are eyes that still carry the sunlight of a distant island, there are strong voices of people who have just returned, and there are also warm voices of silver-haired people who have experienced the challenges of a time of fire and smoke.

Each story they share is like a wave that spreads into people's hearts, reminding them that in any region of our country, there are people who are quietly keeping the border peaceful, generation after generation.

The exhibition attracted many soldiers to visit and share.

Viewers also feel the photos… like waves. The organizers created visual waves by designing photos printed on soft silk, flowing like the tide pouring down from above or rolling up from below; some corners are arranged like family photos, warm and intimate. The space is both creative and familiar, taking viewers from the shore out to sea and then back to the mainland in the loving arms of the Fatherland.

Instead of the traditional method, the photos are displayed in a modern way, increasing interactivity.

A photo stretched out to the exact space of the blue sea becomes a small carpet, on top of which are enough paper, pens and cards printed with images of the sea and islands.

That deep blue color spreads softly underfoot, evoking the cool feeling of the sea breeze and the salty scent. On that "sea surface", a gentle dialogue between the human heart and the waves of the homeland opens up.

Letter to Truong Sa.

Just by sitting down, writing a few wishes or sharing, people can send love to the island soldiers.

The letters will be brought to Truong Sa by the Vietnam Sea and Islands Association to be delivered to the Navy soldiers. This is the experience that the children are most excited about and eager to participate in.

Children write handwritten letters on a photo background of a blue ocean.

The most surprising and interesting thing is that for the first time, in the space next to Hoan Kiem Lake, there are Truong Sa square banyan trees. Among them, there is a most special tree. The tree's journey is long and harsh: from the island, it crosses 270 nautical miles to Cam Ranh, then continues 1,300km by train to Hanoi.

The square banyan tree returned from Truong Sa and the landmark model appeared at the exhibition.

From the scorching sun of the sea to the biting cold of the north, there were times when it seemed like the tree would wither forever, but after two years of perseverance, the tree grew green and spread its four branches in four directions.

The four branches of the tree are like the four directions of the sky, each leaf is strong and green like a hand, both beckoning and reminding: No matter where they are, Vietnamese people still look towards the sea and islands. The tree has begun to form a canopy, its sturdy trunk reminds us of the indomitable and loyal spirit of the soldiers on the faraway islands.

QR codes help Truong Sa bricks "tell stories".

In addition to traditional values that evoke deep emotions, the Organizing Committee also guides visitors to apply digital technology by scanning QR codes to watch videos, listen to poems, and learn about touching and emotional stories.

Many people shed tears after scanning the QR code in the tribute content, seeing a video of the mother of a martyr who died at Gac Ma Island in 1988 talking about missing her son. Hidden deep beneath the endless pain is the extraordinary strength of the mothers.

Scan the QR code to donate trees to Truong Sa,

In the exhibition space, each artifact, such as bricks and tiles that contributed to building the island; the sacred national flags that faded after completing their mission... and returned to the mainland, are all attached with QR codes.

Each QR code is a secret waiting for viewers to discover. The program also has QR codes to support those who want to support trees on the island - a small action but adds vitality to Truong Sa.

DK1 Platform Model on the continental shelf is made from environmentally friendly materials.

In the small loving corners, there are simple but emotional artifacts: the DK1 Rig model made of cardboard, each detail carefully filled with the nostalgia of a soldier's wife.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong, wife of Major Cao Anh Le Phuong, Commander of DK1/18 Platform, with her love for the Fatherland and skillful hands, has made many miniature models of sovereignty markers on remote islands, DK1 Platform, Independence Palace...

Not keeping them to themselves, Ms. Duong and the rear of many soldiers shared their artifacts, enriching the exhibition space.

You will be able to "specially" touch the artifact if your story is sincere and convincing enough.

"Do not touch the exhibits" is an almost mandatory requirement, familiar with museums and exhibitions... but with "A strip of mountains and rivers", if visitors bring stories and memories of love for the Fatherland, the Organizing Committee can "make special exceptions" to allow them to touch some exhibits.

Thus, visitors can take souvenir photos and feel more emotional when imagining the salty air of the ocean, the burning sun or the offshore wind blowing through their mood.

Teachers and students in the capital learn about national sovereignty.

The exhibition has only been open for the first day, but many schools have already brought their students here. The students listened attentively, observed, asked questions, and wrote letters to the soldier. These experiences will sow the seeds of patriotism from a young age.

The exhibition "A strip of mountains and rivers" has truly opened up the journeys of going out to sea and returning with feelings full of pride and love for the Fatherland and the soldiers. There, the waves and emotions are recorded in each photo and in the narrative, in the breath of the banyan tree, in each stroke of the handwriting on the cards sent to the distant islands.

The display corner with photos and poems gives a friendly feeling like a small corner in the family.

There is a Truong Sa very close, right in the heart of Hanoi. The sea and islands are not far away, but are in our hearts. In the middle of the exhibition space, there is a strong man with warm eyes, always on hand to chat with visitors. That is engineer, photographer Tran Thanh - Chairman of the Vietnam Sea and Islands Association, author of the photo book "The Sea of the Heart" and also the person whose photos are displayed here.

The book "The Sea of Human Hearts" has many QR codes to give readers more opportunities to access more data.

Engineer Tran Thanh has been to Truong Sa 12 times, sometimes staying quite long on the island because of his duties, installing and maintaining machines to filter seawater into fresh water. On each occasion, he brought along his camera and technical equipment with an extremely enthusiastic heart, passionate about the sea and islands.

During the long days amidst the storms, he collected every moment of dawn, every red sunset, every smile of the island soldiers... and then when he returned, turned them into a treasure trove of life experiences, ready to share with anyone who chose to stop and listen.

Foreign visitors excitedly check-in at the exhibition.

The organizers have prepared many meaningful gifts, especially for the young guests. Some children heard about Truong Sa for the first time, their eyes widened when they learned that soldiers could not see the mainland for months; some children timidly raised their hands to answer questions, then smiled brightly when they were given a small gift. It could be a notebook with pictures of the island, a postcard with photos and poems.

Those gifts are like seeds that sow in the children’s hearts a love for the sea and islands, for the Fatherland. And for many tourists, the moment when the author of the photo or book personally hands over the gift, along with a thank you and message, is an unforgettable memory.

A tourist from Ninh Binh proudly takes a souvenir photo next to a model of the landmark.

Not only attracting the capital's residents and domestic tourists, "A strip of mountains and rivers" also makes many international tourists stop by. They are curious about the model of the sovereignty milestone of Truong Sa island painted in prominent red and yellow, each stroke of the letter, each number firmly declaring the territorial sovereignty and the belief and love of the Vietnamese people.

Many foreign guests carefully adjusted the camera angle, smiled and raised their hands to pose, then bent down to carefully read the inscription on the milestone, asking the Organizing Committee for further explanation.

Students were excited to learn about history through the exhibition.

When they came to the corner displaying the square-shaped banyan tree symbolizing the vitality of the remote islands, surprise turned to delight. Foreign visitors listened to the story of the tree’s journey through the waves to grow green in the middle of the capital.

Some tourists gently touch the thick green leaves, as if they understand more about the endurance of people and nature on the remote island. And when the check-in photos are taken, it is both a travel moment and a memory of the Vietnamese people's love for the sea and islands spread to the world.

THUY PHUONG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nhung-trai-nghiem-dac-biet-tai-trien-lam-mot-dai-non-song-post901115.html