Vietnam Centre and the pride of promoting Vietnamese culture

According to the representative of the Executive Board of Vietnam Centre (an independent, non- governmental and non-profit organization with the mission of promoting Vietnamese culture to the world ), early September is spring in Australia, and at that time in 2023, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hang (wife of the Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney) held a Spring Tea Party , entertaining female consuls general and consuls general's wives from other countries. The reception was one of the opening activities of a series of events celebrating the 78th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day and 50 years of Vietnam - Australia diplomatic relations, with the participation of female consuls general and consuls general's wives: Canada, Korea, Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Thailand, Indonesia...

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hang, wife of Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney Nguyen Dang Thang, hopes that through the Spring Tea Party , she will introduce to the female consuls general and their wives a beautiful, luxurious, and sophisticated Vietnam.

The reception included activities honoring the country's traditions such as: viewing, listening to introductions and wearing traditional Vietnamese clothes; taking souvenir photos in the five-panel dress; drawing spring fans guided by researcher, artist Doan Thanh Loc, founder of Nam Ngoc Hien; enjoying familiar Vietnamese teas such as lotus tea, jasmine tea, etc.

Regarding the Spring Tea Party , Ms. Thanh Hang shared: "Each person telling the story of the country's culture has their own interesting points, but the best thing is when we can tell that story together. The reception is for us to contribute a modest but sincere part to the story of Vietnamese culture, to tell our friends from all over the world to listen to at the spring party in Australia."

Another cultural activity that Vietnam Centre has carefully invested in and organized in the final season of 2023 is the performance in Australia (August 31): Divine Feminine of the East , introducing the spirit medium culture in the Four Palaces Mother Goddess religion, a long-standing indigenous belief of Vietnam. This is one of the first programs to introduce the Vietnamese Mother Goddess culture to the world cultural community, since UNESCO recognized Mother Goddess worship as an intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam.

Female Consuls General and Consul General's Wives in Vietnamese Costume

"Vietnam Centre members feel proud and excited to bring Vietnamese cultural programs to international friends. We have witnessed the surprise and admiration from international friends when they discover the depth and beauty of Vietnamese culture, from traditional costumes, diverse cuisine, unique music to special beliefs," said Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Dong, founder of Vietnam Centre.

Phuong Dong, as well as Vietnam Centre members living and working abroad, feel that for a long time, international friends seemed to only know Vietnam through fierce wars. "However, this is the first time they have discovered the depth of our rich history and sophisticated culture. This gives us pride and excitement. This new understanding allows us to overcome prejudices and showcase the multifaceted aspects of Vietnam, creating deeper connections and appreciation between countries," Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Dong expressed.

And the marks of the spread

According to the latest information updated by Vietnam Centre, the bilingual photo book about Vietnamese traditional costumes Weaving a Realm (English title: Weaving a Realm , compiled by Vietnam Centre) has published 6,000 copies (2 reprints). This is the first book and the only bilingual publication (to date) about Vietnamese traditional costumes. The book has been published in the National Library of Australia and all libraries of the Australian National University. In addition, there are libraries: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Library), University of Amsterdam (UVA Library), University of Groningen (UG Library), Netherlands; Harvard University (HOLLIS - Harvard Library), Yale University (Yale Library), Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA library), USA; and the Cambridge University Library system, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Weaving a Dynasty book cover

The fact that the book Weaving Dynasties has entered prestigious libraries partly shows the world's interest in Asian culture in general and Vietnamese culture in particular. As the representative of Vietnam Centre shared with Thanh Nien , in the response email of the Australian National University Library after receiving the book, the library evaluated the book as well as the direction of the book - promoting Vietnamese culture through the history of costumes as "wonderful". This can be seen as the recognition of international readers for the efforts of Vietnam Centre on the journey of promoting Vietnamese culture .

Libraries around the world have the picture book Weaving a Dynasty

Another well-received publication of Vietnam Centre is the historical comic book Chieu Hoang Ky: Notes on the Last Female Emperor (screenwriter: Linh; artist: Nguyen Hoang Duong; cultural and customs advisor: Dong Nguyen; cultural and language advisor: Giao Luk). This is a historical comic book inspired by the life of Ly Chieu Hoang, the first and only female emperor in Vietnam's feudal history. Chieu Hoang Ky is Vietnam Centre's first project as a comic book production unit, with volumes 1 and 2 published (2,000 copies each), and volume 3 is expected to be released in early 2024.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/vietnam-centre-va-niem-tu-hao-quang-ba-van-hoa-viet-18524012418535525.htm