"History inscribed on stone" - the story of the 82 Doctoral Examination steles at the Temple of Literature - National University.

VHO - On the afternoon of February 6th, the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giám Cultural and Scientific Activities Center inaugurated a thematic exhibition titled "History in Stone," summarizing the appearance of Vietnam's Confucian-based education system through the system of Doctoral Examination Steles.

The exhibition is a practical activity to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, and also to commemorate the 950th anniversary of the founding of Quoc Tu Giam, the country's first national school.

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the "Stone History Preserves Memories" exhibition.

 

"The Stone Stele Preserves the Legacy" introduces documents and artifacts derived from the historical, ideological, and artistic value of the 82 Doctoral Examination Steles currently preserved at the Temple of Literature - National University.

The exhibition content is structured around four main themes: an overview of the Confucian examination system; the policies of selecting, rewarding, and utilizing talent by the monarchical dynasties; the examination system and scholarly traditions; and portraits of some prominent figures who made significant contributions to education and various other fields of the country.

Through the exhibition space, visitors not only access valuable documentary values ​​from the content of the stele inscriptions, but also recognize each doctoral stele as an exquisite work of art carved from stone, with soft lines, a tight composition, and embodying the aesthetic thinking and educational philosophy of the ancients.

 

Diverse Exhibition Spaces

 

The exhibition space is designed based on an artistic dialogue between two main materials, paper and stone, symbolizing the journey from learning and training to honoring and preserving the legacy for posterity.

The transition between the two materials reflects the aspirations of the monarchical dynasties to "immortalize" the recognition of the intellectual elite. Traditional and modern elements are harmonized when ancient texts are "awakened" by projection technology, transforming historical documents into vivid, emotionally rich digital images.

Alongside traditional exhibition methods, digital technology solutions are applied to recreate the space of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, opening up a fresh approach to the history of Vietnamese examinations.

Through this exhibition, we aim to renew the way we tell stories about heritage, spread the spirit of "touching history, exploring heritage," and help the public, especially the younger generation, access the enduring values ​​of traditional philosophy in contemporary life in a more vivid way.

Images from the "Stone History Preserves Memories" Exhibition

 

The exhibition "History inscribed on stone" is closely linked in content with the permanent exhibitions at the site, such as "Quoc Tu Giam - The first national school" and "The origins of scholarship," forming a unified whole within the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam heritage space.

Through this, the public has the opportunity to access, in a more systematic and in-depth way, the history of the monument's formation and development, as well as the typical achievements of Vietnam's education and examination system under the monarchy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giám Cultural and Scientific Activities Center, said that the exhibition was created by the staff of the Center, with professional support from Vietnamese experts and experts from the Republic of France.

Modern projection technology helps the public learn invaluable information from stone steles.

 

Through this collaboration, the exhibition tells the story of the 82 Doctoral Stele, from the initial erection of the stele, the examinations, the scholarly families and villages, to the exemplary figures associated with the education system, examinations, and national governance during the monarchical era, thereby contributing to the development of the nation's cultural heritage.

According to the organizers, "The History of Stone Inscriptions" is not just a thematic exhibition, but also a visual and emotional journey, recreating the long and arduous path by which knowledge is cultivated, talents are tested, and the names of wise and virtuous individuals are engraved in stone, preserving their legacy through the ages.

From the strokes of pen on paper to the inscriptions on stone tablets, the exhibition conveys a timeless message about the tradition of valuing education and appreciating talent – ​​a persistent source that nourishes the cultural vitality and future of the nation.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/su-da-luu-danh-cau-chuyen-cua-82-bia-tien-si-tai-van-mieu-quoc-tu-giam-203177.html