Rare photo exhibition of the Huong examination in the late 19th century

Displayed in the grounds of the Temple of Literature, Quoc Tu Giam, Hanoi, the exhibition is part of the event "Photo Hanoi '25 - International Photography Biennale" organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports in coordination with the French Institute in Vietnam.

Regarding this event, Mr. Eric Soulier, Cultural Counselor, Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, said that the exhibition is a strong symbol of the intersection between heritage space and Photo Hanoi exhibitions. The photos are presented in a bamboo architectural space, inspired by the ancient examination schools, located along the walls of the building symbolizing Confucianism, and also a typical cultural and historical relic of Thang Long citadel. Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is a special space, located in the heart of Hanoi , where the typical values of Vietnamese philosophy were formed. In this exhibition, the rare images of André Salles bring us back to the solemn and lively atmosphere of the ancient Confucian examination schools.

Rare photo exhibition about the Huong examination in the late 19th century -0 — Images of the Hương examination at the end of the 19th century were captured by a French photographer.

These photographs document the 1897 Hương examination in Nam Định , held every three years at the heart of the feudal examination system. The 1897 examination took place at a time when Confucianism was beginning to decline, and ancient Chinese characters were gradually replaced by the Quốc ngữ script – a historic milestone in the transformation of Vietnamese culture… In addition to celebrating the value of this rare collection of photographs, the exhibition also raises questions about the role of photography in how we perceive history, while also shedding light on visual and educational practices in feudal Vietnamese society.

According to the exhibition organizers, André Salles (1860–1929) was a French photographer and explorer who worked in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia between 1896 and 1898. Thanks to dry negative photography techniques, he created highly accurate works that provide a vivid view of life, landscapes and cultural traditions in Vietnam in the late 19th century.

Rare photo exhibition of the Huong examination in the late 19th century -1 — One of the images of the late 19th century regional examinations on display at the exhibition.

The Dinh Dau examination in 1897 was one of only two examinations to have the presence of the Governor General of Indochina, Paul Doumer, in the opening ceremony. Thanks to this rare event, photographer Firmin-André Salles had the opportunity to approach and record images of an important activity of the royal court and the Vietnamese people. The exhibited photos are precious and rare documents that the National Library of France and the French National Geographic Society still preserve, truly conveying the solemn yet bustling atmosphere of the old examination school.

To enrich the exhibition, the Organizing Committee has collaborated with experts and researchers to supplement information from various sources. These contributions help to fill gaps in the original archives, providing a more comprehensive picture of the Huong exam and the people in the photos.

The exhibition “The Provincial Examinations in the Late 19th Century” is not only a display of a valuable collection of historical photographs, but also a dialogue about the role of photography in shaping the way we perceive history. The exhibition offers an educational art experience where viewers not only admire the photographic works but also learn more about the techniques used to create them, and have the opportunity to explore the education and examination system in feudal Vietnam.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Chuyen-dong-van-hoa/trien-lam-anh-quy-hiem-ve-khoa-thi-huong-cuoi-the-ky-xix-i787211/