2013 European Music Festival to take place in Hanoi

 

 

The 2013 European Music Festival will open in Hanoi on November 22 with the participation of talented artists from European countries.

The event, co-organised by the European Union Delegation to Vietnam and the six EU embassies of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Sweden and Vietnam will be a colourful music banquet.

The highlight of the festival will be special performances by renowned pianists from Hungary and Poland, and some eventful nights of pop, classics, jazz and electronic music presented by artists from Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

The festival will invite two leading Vietnamese opera singers – Ngoc Tuyen and Trieu Yen - to present famous opera works in the electronic music background.

Hoa Binh remembers cultural heritage

 

 

Inspired by the careless torching of a century old Muong ethnic minority Lang house, a unique contemporary art show is being hosted in the charred remains in the northern province of Hoa Binh.

The show, titled Ky Uc Nha Lang (Memory of Lang House), will include a photo exhibition, visual and audio installations and site-specific art to tell the story of the Lang house, its origin, history, and the values it held for archaeology, culture and tourism.

The 100-year-old house-on-stilts, with timber frame and thatched roof house was burnt out due to a group of careless tourists visiting last month.

Vu Duc Hieu, owner of the Muong Cultural Space Museum, where the house is situated, told Viet Nam News why the unusual exhibition has been created.

"The show is to send a message to the audience and society on the existence and disappearance of a specific cultural heritage.

"We want to enhance the awareness of locals and the whole community on other cultural heritages throughout the country," Hieu said.

The house had been preserved for generation after generation by a local family in Tan Lac District until it was moved to the Muong Cultural Space Museum in Hoa Binh City for preservation.

The photo exhibition will feature photos by photographers Thai A, Thai Kien, Nguyen Ba Ngoc and Trinh Vu Hieu.

Other contributors include media artist Nguyen Quang Tuyen, German visual artist Kai Hugel and a group of visual artists from HCM City.

The show will kick off at 5pm tomorrow and will be on display at the museum, until the end of this month at 202 Tay Tien Street, Hoa Binh City.

French singer to perform in HCM City

 

 

France’s renowned singer Christophe will perform at Hoa Binh Theatre in Ho Chi Minh City on November 23, announced Poussieres de Vie - a non-governmental organisation (NGO) - on November 13.

French Consul General Fabrice Mauries said the “Christophe Live Concert” will mark the France-Vietnam Year and the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The event organised by Poussieres NGO under the sponsorship of the Consulate General aims to encourage the audience to join hands to help Vietnamese disadvantaged children.

Christophe will play piano, guitar and other musical instruments and sing songs as he has done in his 50-year career.

The night will have special guests, such as Elvis Phuong, My Linh and Dong Lan.

Gala night marks Vietnam-Belgium diplomatic ties

 

 

A gala was held in Brussels on November 13 to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Belgium diplomatic ties.

Participants had the chance to enjoy a special traditional art performance presented by Vietnamese artists playing traditional instruments, such as 16 chord zither, t’rung and krongput.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy introduced a collection of special stamps, including four samples, one designed by Belgium and three others by Vietnam, two of them on late General Vo Nguyen Giap.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Didiers Reyders spoke highly of fruitful cooperation on the fields of economics, trade, education and training and health care between the two countries in recent times.

On the results of the second meeting of the Vietnam-Belgium Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation in Hanoi in Mid October, he said the two sides identified many areas for future cooperation, especially in green and high-tech technology, logistics and seaport construction.

Didier hailed the Embassy’s initiative to organise Vietnam Week in Belgium with a wide range of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties, such as an ancient relics exhibition, a photographic exhibition, a seminar on Vietnam-Belgium investment cooperation, and advertising campaigns for Vietnamese films, a traditional art performances and cuisine.

Japanese art of Kogei shows spirit of an ancient capital

 

 

The spirit of Japan's ancient capital Kyoto is on display at an exhibition at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

Titled Art of Kogei – Spirit of Kyoto, the exhibition features a unique collection of 50 Kogei-style contemporary artworks by 25 renowned artists, as well as younger artists

whose creativity has earned them recognition in recent years. All the artists are members of the Kogei Kyoto artistic group.

The Kogei collection consists of ceramics, textiles, metal works, urushi (lacquer work), wood, and bamboo.

Kogei is an authentic Japanese art form that requires the practical use of nature's artistic beauty by using organic materials such as stone, minerals, trees and plants.

Some Kogei masters have been honoured by the Japanese government as living national treasures.

Kyoto's Kogei works are well refined by their senses, and have been developed for more than 1,200 years of restless innovation, encompassing the spirit of Kyoto's culture.

Speaking at the exhibition's opening ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Hiroshi Fukada said the display aims to introduce Kyoto's traditional art form.

The exhibition will offer a chance for Vietnamese visitors to discover and learn more about Kyoto – a historical city that represents Japanese culture and beauty as well as its highly sophisticated handicrafts, the ambassador said.

A representative from Kogei Kyoto, Masayuki Imai, said this is the second time the Kogei Kyoto artists have presented their artworks outside Japan. Their first Art of Kogei – Spirit of Kyoto exhibition was held in Paris in 2008.

He said the current Kogei exhibition is the first part of further cultural exchanges between artists from the two countries.

The free exhibition is open to the public daily from 8.30am-5pm until November 23 at 66, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.

FVH put on traditional music concert

 

 

The Friends of Viet Nam Heritage (FVH) will host a concert featuring Viet Nam's best performers of traditional music tonight. The performance will showcase several award-winning musicians along with commentary on their music and instruments.

Nguyen Ngoc Anh will play the sona (a kind of oboe) and a variety of flutes from his extensive collection. Artist Thu Ha, who has performed in more than 40 countries, will play a 36-string instrument.

The concert will also feature drummer Thanh Nam, who was awarded the top prize at the National Festival of Traditional Instruments and the ASEAN Festival of Traditional Music.

A must-see performance for anyone interested in traditional Vietnamese music, the event will take place from 8-9.30pm at 34 Hoang Cau Street, 6th floor (above Fansipan Mushroom Restaurant). Contact Helen at helenshuntley@yahoo.com for registration.

Japanese musician to perform in the city

Numb, a Japanese musician who has been influential in Japanese electronic music since the early 90s, will have a concert at the city's Club Darts Darts Darts tomorrow.

His performance will be supported by DJs Carl Frie from the US and Chris Wolter from Germany.

The Tokyo-based artist has released four solo albums and performed at the prestigious music festivals in Denmark, France, the Netherlands and his country.

The concert will begin at 9pm at 224 Pasteur Street in District 3.

Saigon Supper Club to raise funds for kids

 

 

Saigon Supper Club, a fundraising event for the K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distress) Foundation, an organisation founded by famous TV chef Julius Japer to provide shelter, care and education for street children in Viet Nam, will be held on Saturday at the Cargo Bar.

The event will include music, dance, entertainment and food prepared by five top chefs from The Netherlands. Guests are asked to wear white clothes. The event will begin at 7pm at 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in District 4. Tickets are on sale via email through saigonsupperclub@gmail.com.

Parisian singer from Japan debuts in city

 

 

Rie Furuse, a Parisian vocalist from Japan, will present month-long live jazz performances at the Boudoir Lounge in Sofitel Saigon Plaza, beginning on Saturday at 8pm.

Growing up in Kumamoto, Japan, Furuse studied French literature at Dokkyo University and became interested in jazz and then French songs.

After moving to Paris, she created her own style, a mix of contemporary jazz, fusion, funk and jazz-pop, and has been invited to perform in Europe, Asia and America.

The hotel is at 17 Le Duan Street in District 1.

Festival features German culture in Hanoi

A festival featuring German culture called “Discover and Experience Germany” will be held on November 16, at the National Museum of History in Hanoi.

The event, organised by the German Embassy, is expected to attract representatives from various German agencies spanning a number of areas, such as politics, culture and science. They will have the opportunity to exchange and discuss cultural differences and similarities with Vietnamese people.

Highlights of the festival will include games, movies, presentations, and Aufbau West band’s performances.

Visitors will have a chance to learn more about Germany’s rich history, culture, economy and modern day life.

Concert to celebrate 40th anniversary of Vietnam-UK ties

World-renowned British conductor Professor Colin Metters will return to Vietnam for two special concerts at the Hanoi Opera House given to celebrate 40 years of Vietnam-UK diplomatic relations.

The concerts, scheduled for November 21 and 22, is organised by the British Council in Hanoi.

Under the baton of Colin Metters, British cellist Guy Johnston – the 2000 BBC Young Musician of the Year – will join with ninety members of the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra to delight audiences with the Roman Carnival Overture by Hector Berlioz, Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 5.

The talented young Vietnamese conductor Tran Nhat Minh from the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet, Symphony Orchestra and Opera will serve as assistant conductor.

Colin Metters was first invited to Vietnam by the British Council 16 years ago to begin a training project for the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. It became one of the most successful and longest-standing UK-Vietnam cultural partnerships.

Professor Metters was awarded the Cultural Activists Medal by Vietnamese government in 1999 for his services to Vietnamese culture. His work in Vietnam was even

featured in a BBC documentary called Harmony in Hanoi, directed by Anthony Fabian in 2003.

Tickets for the concerts are available at the Hanoi Opera House (No.1 Trang Tien Street), Sketch Travel (25 Truong Han Sieu Street) and Shop P (8 Nha Chung Street), with prices ranging from VND200,000 to VND500,000.

Thirty five countries to participate in Hue Festival 2014

So far 35 countries and territories from around the world have registered to participate in the biennial Hue Festival in Hue City in Thua Thien-Hue Province scheduled to take place from April 12-20 next year, according to Ngo Hoa, Deputy Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thien-Hue Province.

The organizing committee of the event and Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) signed a contract on November 13 whereby

BIDV will serve as a Diamond Sponsor of the event.

Previously, the Management Board of Hue Festival 2014 and the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade--Vietcombank, had signed a sponsorship agreement for support of VND3 billion for the nation’s biggest cultural event.

The eighth Hue Festival 2014 themed ‘Cultural Heritage with Integration and Development’ is also a special cultural event within the framework of the Forum for East Asia and Latin American Cooperation.

The Festival will introduce to visitors a series of cultural activities such as Nam Giao Offering Ritual, Royal Night, Ao Dai Festival, Oriental Night, musical performances, folk games, puppetry, martial arts and dance performances during the event.

Some highlights will be ‘Huong Xua Lang Co’ (Fragrance of ancient village) in the 500-year-old Phuoc Tich ancient village in Phong Hoa Commune in Phong Dien District; real replicas of ancient markets of Thanh Toan Tile Bridge across the Nhu Y River in Thuy Thanh Commune; ‘Colors of Childhood’ children festival; the Thuan An-Call of the Sea at the Thuan An Beach in Phu Van District.

Contemporary music festival opens in city conservatory

Following recent successes in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2013, the HCMC Conservatory of Music will continue to entertain music lovers with ‘Contemporary Music Festival 2013’– part of the friendship music project of Transposition Vietnam-Norway 2013 – at the conservatory with three evening performances from tomorrow until Saturday.

The program will give the chance for musicians from Norway, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Germany and the U.S. to debut their latest works to the public.

It will debut new works of composers Suzanne Grunewald, Olivier Schreuder, Dirk Johan Stromberg, Taylor Shane Constante, James Westgarth Wilkinson, Do Anh Tuan, Le

Thanh Xuan, Nguyen Manh Duy Linh, Tran Dinh Lang, Hoang Diep, Nguyen Ngoc Quan, Nguyen Duy Hung and Do Kien Cuong.

Audiences will also witness talented artists such as ARTplus Foundation, Maecheler Trio, Sassoon A Tach and saxophonist Nguyen Tuan Loc, percussionists Mai Thanh

Son, Ngo Anh Tuan, violinists Nguyen My Huong, Ho Ngoc Chinh, Tran Hoang Yen, cellist Vo Dinh Kuan and on double bass Nguyen Van Thin.

The night performances begin at 8 p.m. In particular, tomorrow night is Restored Sword Lake Legend, Friday features Maecheler Trio from Germany and Saturday night is dedicated to electronic music.

The three nights are held at the Concert Hall at the conservatory, 112 Nguyen Du Street in downtown HCMC. Tickets are priced at VND200,000 per person and VND50,000 per student.

Source: VOV/VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/Dantri