Calligraphy, from traditional to modern times, inherently embodies the artistic essence of a unique cultural form. It is the soul and lifeblood of written characters. Through countless historical upheavals, calligraphy has been preserved and developed by generations of Vietnamese people.
Vietnamese calligraphy (Vietnamese script calligraphy) emerged in the 1930s, a period when the Vietnamese script (Latin script) became more popular than Chinese and Nom script in Vietnam. Poet Dong Ho (1906 - 1969) is revered as the "founder" of this type of calligraphy.
War and the difficult circumstances of the country caused the flow of Vietnamese calligraphy to stagnate, only to revive in the last decade or so. Many clubs and classes teaching calligraphy have been opened in provinces and cities; exhibitions have attracted widespread public attention.
The use of a brush pen, a product of Eastern culture, to write Latin (the Vietnamese national script) – a product of Western culture – demonstrates the cultural exchange and integration between East and West in calligraphy. Vietnamese people are reminded of the image of the traditional calligrapher, a figure long absent, and can now read and understand Vietnamese calligraphy. This affirms a unique cultural product, rich in national identity but also relevant to the times.
Unlike Chinese calligraphy, Vietnamese calligraphy is more free and unconventional, applied to various aspects of life such as fashion design, architecture, and advertising. It is expressed on a variety of materials: paper, wood, stone, fruit, bamboo paintings, mother-of-pearl inlay, ceramics, etc. At the beginning of the year, calligraphy is often displayed on red paper with pre-printed spring motifs, usually featuring folk songs, proverbs, teachings of famous people, and lyrical poems. Many families choose to hang calligraphy paintings as a form of decoration, creating harmony in the home, while also expressing reflections on life, philosophies of human existence, enlightenment, or offering educational and a wish for good fortune in family life and business.
Calligraphy in the Vietnamese Quốc ngữ script is not only a refined hobby that helps people cultivate their minds, refine their character, and find balance in modern life, but it has also become an art form that honors the Vietnamese language. Young people not only learn traditional calligraphy but also boldly experiment with new styles, combining them with other art forms such as painting and music , creating unique works that bear their personal imprint. This is also how young people connect with their roots, rediscover the beautiful traditional values of the nation, and further appreciate the cultural values that their ancestors painstakingly cultivated.
Today, calligraphy in the Vietnamese Quốc ngữ script has become popular throughout the country in general and in Hà Nam province in particular. With talent and passion, calligraphy enthusiasts in the province are constantly exploring and creating new works, thereby contributing to educating people towards the values of truth, goodness, and beauty. At the beginning of spring, the Provincial Museum often organizes a recreation of a traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) rural market, including a calligrapher's booth with the custom of giving and receiving calligraphy blessings, a rural market corner with simple but "specialty" dishes associated with the childhood of many generations, and some traditional folk games, aiming to raise awareness, pride, and responsibility in each person, especially the younger generation, towards preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.
(Do Van Hien, Director of the Provincial Museum)
“Today, calligraphy in the Vietnamese Quốc ngữ script has become popular throughout the country in general and in Hà Nam province in particular. With talent and passion, calligraphy enthusiasts in the province are always exploring and creating works, thereby contributing to educating people towards the values of truth, goodness, and beauty. At the beginning of spring, the Provincial Museum often organizes a recreation of the cultural space of a traditional Tet market, including a calligrapher's booth with the tradition of giving and receiving calligraphy during the spring, a corner of the traditional market with simple but "specialty" dishes associated with the childhood of many generations, and some traditional folk games, aiming to raise awareness, pride, and responsibility of each person, especially the younger generation, towards preserving and promoting traditional cultural values,” said Mr. Đỗ Văn Hiến, Director of the Provincial Museum.
In recent years, some spring festivals in the province have featured calligraphy exhibitions with the image of calligraphers wearing traditional long robes and headscarves, writing calligraphy and giving out auspicious characters. Besides Chinese characters, these calligraphers also write in the Vietnamese Quốc ngữ script. The content of the calligraphy often includes wishes for peace and well-being, and heartfelt sayings about relationships: teacher-student, parent-child, husband-wife, friends, and close companions… These include characters like “Phúc” (Happiness), “Tài” (Wealth), and “Lộc” (Prosperity) expressing hopes for a peaceful, prosperous, and happy new year; “Chí” (Ambition), “Thọ” (Longevity), and “Thành” (Success) expressing aspirations for success in one's career; “Nhẫn” (Patience), “Lễ” (Propriety), “Hiếu” (Filial Piety), and “Thuận” (Harmony) expressing wishes for good fortune; and “Nhân” (Humanity), “Trí” (Wisdom), and “Minh” (Enlightenment) expressing aspirations for intelligence and learning… Elderly people often ask for the characters “An” (Peace) and “Thọ” (Longevity); those facing many hardships and difficulties ask for “Nhẫn” (Patience). Students ask for the character "Đạt" (Success); businesspeople ask for the characters "Tín" (Trust), "Phát" (Prosperity)... The custom of asking for calligraphy at the beginning of spring is gradually becoming an elegant pastime among the four most important hobbies: "calligraphy first, painting second, ceramics third, and ornamental plants fourth."
Not only is she a leading figure in Vietnamese calligraphy in the province, Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thuy - Principal of Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary and High School, Ha Nam branch - is also known for actively spreading the beauty of calligraphy art and "inspiring" her colleagues and students. Twenty years ago, upon entering Hanoi Pedagogical University, Thanh Thuy developed a deep love for calligraphy from the captivating lectures of Associate Professor, Dr. Ha Van Minh. Later, despite her busy work schedule, she still finds time to "breathe life" into calligraphy, hoping to contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of her homeland. “At Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary and High School, students are given a focus on comprehensive development in knowledge, character, and abilities, with a strong emphasis on fostering a love for national cultural traditions. They are introduced to calligraphy, guided in writing, and participate in the annual Spring Festival couplet writing competition. They are also introduced to this art form during Literature lessons. In particular, the school regularly connects students with experiential activities related to calligraphy at the Provincial Museum. In the future, the school plans to establish a calligraphy club for students with talent and interest to register and participate,” said teacher Nguyen Thanh Thuy.
It can be said that the movement of writing Vietnamese calligraphy has been and continues to be of great interest to the people, especially the enthusiastic response from young people, which is evidence of the flexibility and adaptability in cultural adaptation and the honoring of the Vietnamese script - the official and modern writing system of the Vietnamese people.
Hoang Oanh (Provincial Center for Culture and Arts)
Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/van-hoa/thu-phap-chu-quoc-ngu-gin-giu-truyen-thong-lan-toa-van-hoa-143353.html
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