The calligraphy, the shape of the stone, and the spirit of the times.

Upon entering the exhibition space, visitors are guided along a historical timeline, from the concept of learning and examinations to how feudal dynasties perceived, selected, and utilized talent. Each stele is a political and educational manifesto of the contemporary dynasty. The inscriptions on the stones not only record the names of successful candidates but also clearly express the philosophical and ethical principles and the relationship between talented individuals and the nation's destiny.

Visitors view the exhibition "Stone History Preserves Legacy". Photo: ANH DANG

Many ideas about nation-building, national defense, and talent training, inscribed on stone hundreds of years ago, still retain their value today. For example, the statement: "Talented individuals are the lifeblood of the nation; when the lifeblood is strong, the nation prospers and rises; when the lifeblood is weak, the nation declines," inscribed on the stele commemorating doctoral graduates in 1484, recording the 1442 examination, is still considered a profound idea regarding the evaluation and utilization of national talent. These familiar words, found in books, when displayed on stone, prompt many to pause and reflect.

Mr. Le Van Hoang (born in 1980, residing in Ba Dinh ward, Hanoi ) shared: "Reading the words carved on the stone from over a hundred years ago, I truly appreciate the long-term vision of our ancestors when they considered talented people as the roots of the nation."

From the stone inscriptions, the exhibition's narrative expands to encompass national talents. The names carved on the stones are brought back to life through interactive dioramas and videos introducing these prominent figures. Through this, visitors journey alongside renowned individuals such as Nguyen Trai, Le Quy Don, and Luong The Vinh, exploring their academic pursuits and intellectual contributions to nation-building.

Furthermore, the exhibition also introduces viewers to the characters and patterns carved on the doctoral steles. The clearly dated Chinese characters reflect the calligraphic styles of each period from the 15th to the 18th centuries, becoming an important basis for identifying the development of Vietnamese calligraphy in Chinese characters.

Furthermore, each stele possesses a unique artistic style, expressed through its composition, patterns, symbolic figures, and exquisite carvings. Thus, the 82 steles are 82 distinct works of art, imbuing the stone with soul. The motifs on the Doctoral Steles are also made more accessible to the public through a hands-on activity of printing and embossing the patterns. The patterns are placed at a convenient height so that both children and adults can easily print them onto paper and take them home as souvenirs.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Ha (born in 1993, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi) said: “I brought my children here to visit. Being able to touch the patterns and print them themselves makes children more interested and helps them remember history longer.”

Bringing the Doctor's Stele closer to the public.

The exhibition "History inscribed on stone" showcases documents and artifacts derived from the historical, ideological, and artistic values ​​of the 82 steles commemorating doctoral graduates at the Temple of Literature - National University. The exhibition is structured around four main themes, outlining the landscape of the Confucian examination system; the principles of selecting, rewarding, and employing successful candidates; and portraying the portraits of several prominent figures who made significant contributions to education and various other fields of the nation.

Through this exhibition, visitors not only discover the documentary value of the inscriptions but also see that each doctoral stele is truly a work of art carved in stone, with many soft and extremely exquisite lines. Historian Dr. Nguyen Huu Tam commented: "If the original Chinese characters were retained, the information on the doctoral steles would mainly serve the research community. However, through the exhibition, the information has been translated into Vietnamese, allowing visitors to quickly understand each examination, the number of candidates, and the number of successful candidates in each period."

The exhibition space is designed based on an artistic dialogue between two main materials: paper and stone. Paper symbolizes the journey of learning and self-improvement; stone represents honor and the preservation of legacy for posterity. The transition between these two materials reflects the desire of the monarchical dynasties to "immortalize" the intellectual elite, while also suggesting a path for knowledge to move from the pages of books to a lasting imprint in history.

Visitors experience an interactive diorama and video content about the famous figures whose names are inscribed on the 82 doctoral steles at the Temple of Literature - National University. Photo: ANH DANG

Alongside traditional exhibition methods, digital technology solutions are applied to recreate the space of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Ancient manuscripts are "revived" through digital projections and images, making historical documents more vivid and accessible. Notably, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is used to create animated reliefs. Reliefs created by artists have been digitized and brought to life, expanding the viewer's ability to appreciate them.

Mr. Truong Quoc Toan, exhibition content consultant, shared: “We are living in a technological era. When AI technology participates in the creative process in a controlled manner, visitors' experiences will be better in their journey to discover the values ​​of the Doctoral steles.”

The exhibition is closely linked to existing exhibits such as "Quoc Tu Giam - The First National School" and "The Origins of Learning," forming a unified whole within the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam heritage site. This allows the public to systematically and deeply access the history of the site's formation and development, as well as the typical achievements of Vietnam's education system under the monarchy.

More than just an exhibition, it becomes a visual and emotional journey, recreating the long and arduous path by which knowledge is cultivated, talent is tested, and the names of wise individuals are inscribed in stone, preserving their legacy for generations to come.

Mr. Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giám Cultural and Scientific Activities Center, shared: “From the brushstrokes on paper to the inscriptions on stone steles, the exhibition sends a message that transcends time: The tradition of valuing learning and respecting talented people is the enduring source that nourishes the vitality of culture and the future of the nation.”

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/su-da-luu-danh-ngan-doi-1025254