Nearly 100 paintings on the theme of ‘hau dong’ (spirit mediumship) are on display at an exhibition that opened in Hanoi on May 21.
A painting on display
at the exhibition
Utilising various genres of media, the 24 participating
artists convey their different views on the traditional Vietnamese religious
practice through their paintings.
Painter Le Hai, who brought two paintings to the event,
shared that he was excited to take part in the exhibition as ‘hau dong’ is
quite a new theme for most artists. However, he also found that it was a tough
task to deal with the abstract concept of the practice.
The topic requires the artists to have a certain
understanding of it as well as what is intended to feature on the paintings, he
said.
The practice of‘hau dong’, in honour of Mother
Goddesses, was inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritages of
humanity in 2016.
The exhibition, which
aims to provide the public with a closer look into the‘hau dong’ritual,
will run until May 27, at the Centre for Fine Arts and Photography, 29 Hang Bai
Street, Hoan Kiem district.
Source: NDO
Hoa Binh province has carried out multiple programmes and initiatives to revive its cultural heritage which has gradually fallen into oblivion through the ebbs and flows of history.
The most prominent and defining feature in the prehistoric era of Hoa Binh is the Hoa Binh Culture. The Culture was first discovered in Hoa Binh. The significant prehistoric culture represents not only Vietnam but also Southeast Asia and southern China. Through excavations of cave sites in the limestone regions of Hoa Binh, French archaeologist M. Colani introduced the world to a "Stone Age in Hoa Binh province – Northern Vietnam" in 1927. On January 30, 1932, the First Congress of Far Eastern Prehistorians, held in Hanoi, officially recognised the Hoa Binh Culture.
Known as the "Land of Epic History”, Hoa Binh province, the gateway to Vietnam’s northwest, boasts a strategic location and a unique cultural tapestry woven by its ethnic minority communities.
The People's Committee of Luong Son District recently held a ceremony to receive the certificate recognizing Sau Communal House in Thanh Cao Commune as a provincial-level historical and cultural site.
Recognising the importance of cultural heritage preservation in protecting and promoting the value system of Vietnamese culture, and serving socio-economic development in the new period, Party committees and local administrations in Hoa Binh province have identified it as a key task in the cultural development strategy. The province has been making efforts in mobilising resources, creating consensus among people and engaging ethnic communities in preserving and promoting cultural identity.
Hoa Binh province has captured growing attention both domestically and internationally for its distinctive cultural heritage and rich history. Most notably, it has been renowned for its famous Hoa Binh culture, considered the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilisation. Looking ahead to significant milestones in 2025 and the 140th anniversary of province establishment in 2026, Hoa Binh Newspaper presents a comprehensive overview of the province's development across economic, social, cultural, tourism, and security domains.
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