VietNamNet Bridge – A dynamic multimedia art exhibition opened yesterday, Nov 24, in Ha Noi kicking off a series of cultural events held by the Danish embassy to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations with Viet Nam.

Critical list: Artist Ngo Xuan Phu delivers a presentation about his artwork in the Emergency Room 2011 exhibition, which features artworks by Danish and Vietnamese artists. (Photo: VNS)

About 18 artists are involved, contributing a series of work that traverses a wide range of media, including painting, photography, video and sculpture to create works that reflect daily issues.

"Emergency Room 2011 is an ever-changing exhibition that makes it possible for the participating artists to respond to daily news and developments," said Geoffroy.

This is the second time the exhibition has come to Viet Nam, following the first showing in 2009. The exhibition is now continuing co-operation between Vietnamese and Danish artists. Each day, participating artists contribute a new piece of artwork, which means the content of the exhibition is replaced at 11am each day.

After changing their work every day, the artists then spend an hour talking about their work and answering questions from the public. The three-week exhibition is being held at the Viet Nam Fine Arts University at 42 Yet Kieu Street.

Other cultural events held to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ties between Viet Nam and Denmark include the Street Art Festival, held in Ha Noi on November 29, from 4pm to 8pm, at Ly Thai To Garden and in HCM City on November 30, from 5pm to 8pm at the Youth Cultural House.

The street festival will feature dance, music and theatre performances along with circus acts and a parade. The programme also includes film screenings and a photo exhibition in both Ha Noi and HCM City.

The concert, titled Wishing Upon the Moon 2011, by Vietnamese-Danish jazz artist Niels Lan Doky, pop singer Thanh Lam and composer Quoc Trung, will be held at the Ha Noi Opera House on November 28 and the HCM City Opera House on November 30.

The first Danish Film Week will take place from December 1-7 at Ha Noi Cinematheque and in HCM City at IDECAF.

The world premiere of a series of Danish contemporary dances will take place at the Ha Noi Opera House on November 29 and 30. The performances will include classical ballet and music performed by artists from the Viet Nam National Opera and Ballet.

The programme will also feature a photo exhibition named Monumental Motion – A Cycling Life in the Capital of Denmark, by Mikael Colville-Andersen, highlighting 50 photographs taken while cycling in Copenhagen. The exhibition opens from November 29 to December 5 at the General Science Library, 69 Ly Tu Trong Street, HCM City.

Another show titled The Climate Change Exhibition will be organised at the Hilton Opera House, Ha Noi, in line with the launching of Viet Nam's First Climate Change Week, which aims to raise public awareness about the impacts of climate change.

* Czech linguist makes 50th visit to Viet Nam

Prof Ivo Vasiljev made a speech on language and culture at Ha Noi Union of Science and Technology Associations on Wednesday.

Vasiljev, 76, has made 50 visits to Viet Nam during the past 50 years. He translated Nhat Ky Trong Tu (Diary in Prison) by President Ho Chi Minh into Czech language in 1979-1980. The book was published in the Czech Republic in 1985.

The linguist is proficient in different languages, such as Vietnamese, English, Russian, French, German, Malaysian and Chinese. He has taught Czech language for overseas Vietnamese as well as Vietnamese for Vietnamese people who were born and grew up in the Czech Republic.

Vasiljev's new book, which features his knowledge and experience of half a century, will be published next week in the Czech Republic.

In March, he received Phan Chau Trinh Award for his contribution to promoting Vietnamese culture along with American writer Kevin Bowen.