An outdoor photo exhibition showcasing the beauty of the landscape, culture and people of ASEAN countries opened at Ly Thai To Statue Square on Hanoi’s walking street on August 5.
The exhibition,
titled "ASEAN Countries and People”, is organised by the Ministry of
Culture, Sports and Tourism on the occasion of the 50th founding
anniversary of ASEAN (1967-2017).
The event displays 230 works by 136 photographers from 10 ASEAN countries, 61
of whom are Vietnamese. Fifty photos were taken in Vietnam, while 180 others
were captured in the other nine ASEAN countries (20 photos each), all of which
vividly and truthfully depict the country, people, culture, society, economy
and exchange activities of the member nations.
The photos were selected from a contest launched by the Department of Art,
Photography and Exhibitions under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism,
which attracted 10,127 entries by 1,248 amateur and professional artists from
across the ASEAN region
"This is the
photographic exhibition with the highest number of entries that has been held
by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam in recent
years. The photographic event will enhance mutual understanding and
relations among the countries, contributing to building a unified, active,
developed, peaceful and prosperous ASEAN community,” said Vi Kien
Thanh, head of the ministry’s Department of Fine Arts, Photography and
Exhibition.
The organising board also revealed that the exhibition has attracted the
attention of many photographers within the region. Since the submitting and
marking of the entries was conducted via the internet, many countries sent a
large number of entries by a number of participants.
The 10 most outstanding works by 10 photographers, who are also representatives
of 10 ASEAN countries, were awarded trophies titled "ASEAN photos -
2017” by the organising board.
The awarded photos present new angles of the beauty of the local culture and
people, such as We Love Malaysia by Tan Ee Long from
Malaysia, Kyite Htee Yoe-The Golden Rock Pagoda by Nyaung U Than Htay
from Myanmar and Bac Son Valley by Vu Kim Khoa from Vietnam.
The exhibition will last until August 11.
Source: VOV
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.
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