Honoring traditional values

The selection process for calligraphers at the 2024 Spring Calligraphy Festival is very rigorous. Each candidate registers for one of two styles: Han Nom calligraphy or Vietnamese Quốc ngữ calligraphy. Candidates then undergo two rounds of examinations and tests focusing on the theme of "Learning." If selected, the calligrapher's work will be displayed opposite their designated booth, and they are only allowed to write in the style of calligraphy they registered with the organizing committee.

This year, the Spring Calligraphy Festival of the Year of the Dragon 2024 features many innovations in the space for giving and receiving calligraphy. Previously, the giving and receiving of calligraphy took place in the front yard of Van Lake with calligraphers' stalls arranged closely together in a chessboard pattern. This year, the central exhibition space is designed to create a "calligraphy pathway" with 9 rows of double columns, symbolizing the path of learning. 270 meters of writing paper are pasted onto 18 pillars, combined with lighting effects to create an incredibly impressive and unique visual art display. The 18 pillars are inscribed with classic Confucian texts, stories of famous figures, and ancient examination traditions that generations of scholars diligently studied in hopes of passing the exams. All of this is written by contemporary authors in various calligraphy styles, demonstrating the continuous continuation of cultural heritage by subsequent generations. Mr. Nguyen Viet Chuc, former Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Culture, Education , Youth, and Children (now the Committee on Culture and Education) of the National Assembly, commented: "The Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam National Special Monument has effectively fulfilled its role in preserving and promoting national identity, making cultural values ​​vibrant and attractive through unique and modern exhibition forms, thereby contributing to spreading the tradition of studiousness of our nation."

Calligrapher Xuan Nhu Vu Thanh Tung, Chairman of the Executive Board and calligraphy lecturer at Nhan My School, shared: “At the Spring Calligraphy Festival 2024, viewers can appreciate the meticulous craftsmanship of each stroke in the characters. In addition, the harmonious lighting arrangement and QR code scanning of the artwork not only impress viewers visually but also help them understand the meaning the author wants to convey behind the strokes, further enhancing and honoring the essence of the heritage left by our ancestors.”

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Calligrapher giving out auspicious characters at the Spring Calligraphy Festival of the Year of the Dragon 2024.

The beauty of calligraphy

Typically, mastering calligraphy requires decades of arduous practice. From the very beginning of their career, calligraphers must meticulously prepare their tools, known as the "four treasures of the study," which include: a brush, paper, ink, and an inkstone. After acquiring the necessary materials, they learn how to hold the brush, a technique called "five-finger brush grip"; then they learn how to apply the ink so that it saturates the brush to the right degree; and how to lift and press the brush to create the desired thin and thick strokes.

Mr. Nguyen Van Son (56 years old, from Phu Xuyen district, Hanoi ), who has been practicing calligraphy at the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam National Special Monument since 2014, said: “Every day I spend 4 hours practicing calligraphy. Through research and learning, I found that ‘kai shu’ is the most difficult style among the five basic styles. ‘Shu’ means character, including: ‘Zhe shu’, ‘Li shu’, ‘kai shu’, ‘xing shu’, and ‘shou shu’. ‘Kai shu’ requires the learner to write neatly and precisely, like printed characters.” Visitors to the “Learning” calligraphy exhibition will surely understand the difficulty of ‘kai shu’ to some extent.

In a joyful atmosphere, many people flocked to the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam National Special Monument to request calligraphy, carrying with them hopes for a prosperous and peaceful new year. Each character is associated with people's wishes at different stages of their lives. Ms. Vu Van Anh (33 years old, residing in Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi) shared: “This is the second time I have requested calligraphy at Van Mieu Lake. At the beginning of the new year, I wanted to give my friends and colleagues a meaningful gift. For me, giving calligraphy is like sending a warm wish to those I cherish and respect.”

Ms. Tran Thi Van Anh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, said: "The Spring Calligraphy Festival of the Year of the Dragon 2024 has been meticulously prepared, aiming to create a playground for calligraphers to showcase their talents and creativity, and for people seeking calligraphy to confidently and happily take home beautifully written calligraphy and paintings with many good wishes."

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/tai-hoa-net-chu-ong-do-766504