Breathing life into the capital's architectural heritage in the contemporary flow

(Fatherland) - On the morning of November 13, at the Vietnam Museum of History, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports , Architecture Magazine - Vietnam Association of Architects jointly organized the discussion "Architectural Heritage in Creative City".

Within the framework of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2024, the Seminar is an event for experts in the field of architecture, urban and heritage managers to discuss designs, pavilion installations, art space installations; practical lessons on bringing cultural heritage directly into creative activities in the city, and traditional Vietnamese values ​​of cultural heritage participating in urban creativity.

Overview of the discussion

"Awakening" architectural heritage

Recognized by UNESCO as a member of the World Creative Cities Network, Hanoi has been gradually moving towards: “Taking creativity and considering the creative economy as the core in the process of developing a dynamic, comprehensive and sustainable city”. In that process, cultural heritage is both the spiritual and material foundation for building a creative city, and is also a factor directly involved in creating creative spaces in the city.

Cultural heritages in general and architectural relics in particular are often places for cultural activities of the community, created, nurtured, and passed down by the community... so if they adapt well to contemporary society, they will have the role of attracting and promoting community activities, taking advantage of the creativity of all classes in society.

With its position as the country’s center for more than a millennium, Hanoi is a collection of diverse material traces, in which architectural works create a heritage block that makes up the attractive appearance of the city. In particular, the works on the Ly Thai To - Le Thanh Tong - Trang Tien axis are significant in laying the foundation for a modern Hanoi, spanning from the late 19th century to the second half of the 20th century.

Prof. Dr. Architect Hoang Dao Kinh shared at the seminar

How do these architectural heritages play a role in contemporary development and how do they respond to Hanoi's identity? How should we respond to these architectural heritages in the journey of building a creative community in a creative city? Researchers and architects have given suggestions to Hanoi on how to "awaken" these heritages.

And the creative activities at the Festival held in recent years have contributed to "breathing life" into the heritage, creating an opportunity for people to get closer to unique architectural heritages such as: Hang Dau Water Tower, Gia Lam Railway Station, and at this year's Festival, the Bac Bo Palace (now the Government Guest House - 12 Ngo Quyen), Indochina University Building (now the General University - 19 Le Thanh Tong)...

Prof. Dr. Architect Hoang Dao Kinh shared: “Perhaps living in Hanoi for too long, we will become “numb” to what Hanoi has, but it must be said that Hanoi is a city with “inflation” of uniqueness. The festival has “awakened” us so that we are not indifferent to the city we live in. I really appreciate the courage of architects and artists with works that apply modern science and technology to revive heritages.”

Architect Nguyen Hong Quang also commented: “The festival is an interesting space for many beneficiaries, especially the creative community. We have a space to show off our works, to be interdisciplinary, to bring out new creations. Each work is like an entrance for the public to access precious gems - that is architectural heritage”.

The Northern Government House (now the Government Guest House) is one of the creative spaces in the Hanoi Creative Design Festival.

The lasting vitality of heritage

Besides assessing the role of architectural heritage in creative cities, experts also raised troubling questions about the sustainability of the creations being created within architectural heritage.

Architect Hoang Thuc Hao, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects, commented: “The creative industry is becoming a driving force and a key factor in the socio-economic development of the capital. After 4 festivals, we have seen that cultural heritage is always of interest. However, the question is: How can we promote heritage strategically? How can we avoid having to “pack up” our works after a week of festivals and not know where to put them? How can we have a synchronous scenario that can connect the years, this year inheriting from the next year?”

According to Architect Nguyen Hong Quang, learning from the experience of previous festivals, this year the Organizing Committee has spent a long time researching how to create works that are sustainable. This year’s pavilions are made more restrained, placed in stable spaces that can reach viewers for longer, such as in the yard of the National History Museum…

The Indochina University Building (now the University of General Sciences - No. 19 Le Thanh Tong) has a new color at the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2024

According to curator Van Do, with "dormant" works such as the Hanoi Children's Palace, which will host about 40 activities this time, there are works that are only temporary, and there are also works that will be left as playgrounds for children after the festival. "How to make the investment of stakeholders in this heritage leave a more lasting impact is a concern. We try to encourage a dormant space with the hope that it can be a place to nurture creativity not only for children but also for adults," curator Van Do shared.

Mr. Pham Tuan Long, Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, said that there needs to be coordination between many units in operating and exploiting the works after the festival. He also hopes that with the passing of the Capital Law, many directions will be opened in cooperation, effectively exploiting and using heritage spaces, as well as unique works after the festival ends.

According to Architect Hoang Thuc Hao, the systematic perspectives of architectural researchers as well as solutions to revitalize these heritages will continue to be exchanged, discussed, and gathered to contribute to creating a community of knowledge, sharing understanding of heritage, thereby raising awareness of heritage and love for the heritage of the Capital from the city's owners - the people living in Hanoi today./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/truyen-sinh-khi-cho-di-san-kien-truc-thu-do-trong-dong-chay-duong-dai-20241113162508464.htm