Calligraphy festival returns after two-year hiatus
The annual Spring Calligraphy Festival, which honours the art and local tradition of writing, will begin at Hanoi’s Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam on January 15, marking its return following two years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hanoi (VNA) – The annual Spring CalligraphyFestival, which honours the art and local tradition of writing, will begin atHanoi’s Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam on January 15, marking its return following twoyears of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having a calligraphic work written on red paper to displayduring the Lunar New Year festival (Tet), Vietnam’s biggest traditional event,is a local tradition to pray for good things. The calligraphers write letters meaning prosperity, longevity and happiness.
This year’s festival will feature 50calligraphers from clubs nationwide qualified by the organising board.
Visitors will also be treated to an exhibition of excellent calligraphicworks, culinary delights, folk games, traditional music performances, waterpuppet shows, and activities to introduce handicrafts. Most of the events will take place at Van (Literature) Lake located within the complex.
Le Xuan Kieu, director of the Centre for Scientific andCultural Activities of Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, said preparations have been finished, ready to serve tourists in coming days.
Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature Complex) is oneof the most popular relics and tourist destinations in the capital and thecountry at large. Built in the 11th century during the Ly Dynasty (1010 –1225), it is also among the most important Confucian symbols in the country.
The complex consists of Van Mieu, a temple dedicated toConfucius as Confucianism used to be a popular religion in Vietnam in feudaltimes, and Quoc Tu Giam, the first national university of the country. Ittaught disciples on the Confucian way of life and revered Chu Van An, one ofVietnam’s most respected scholars. Between 1076 and 1779, Quoc Tu Giam educatedthousands of talented men to serve their country to the best of theirabilities./.
The 2018 Spring Calligraphy Festival opened at the Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi on February 9, drawing a large number of visitors.
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Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
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The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
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Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
Illustrative photo (Source: hanoimoi.com.vn) 
