Culinary week highlights Indian culture and cuisine
 
Traditional Indian folk dancing and one of the most refined forms of cooking in India, Dum Pukht, will be highlighted during the Indian Culinary Week taking place in Ha Noi from tomorrow.

Co-organised by the Indian Embassy in Viet Nam and the Sheraton Ha Noi Hotel, the event aims to introduce the rich Indian culture and cuisine to Vietnamese people.

Literally meaning "slow oven", the Dum Pukht cooking technique has existed for over 200 years. Slow oven means cooking on a very low flame, mostly in sealed containers, allowing the meat to cook, as much as possible, in their own juices and bone-marrow. The cooking method also uses less spice than in traditional Indian cooking, with fresh spices and herbs for flavouring.

During the one-week event, the Kalbelia dance troupe from the ancient capital of Rajasthan, famous for its classical music and dancing, will perform spectacular folk dances, with sword balancing and snake dancing.

Indian Culinary Week will take place at the Hemispheres Restaurant in the Sheraton Ha Noi Hotel until August 28, and at the Oven D'or on August 27-28.

Photojournalist dies at 81
 
Renowned photojournalist Le Minh Truong passed away at his home in HCM City on Thursday following a long battle with renal failure.

Born in 1930 in Thua Thien-Hue Province, he had worked as a photojournalist for the Vietnam News Agency for 50 years.

He witnessed many battles along the Truong Son Trail (current Ho Chi Minh Trail) and in southern provinces during the American War, taking photos of Vietnamese soldiers in action.

Truong's most feted photo, Xe Doc Truong Son (Crossing Through Truong Son), won the National Literature and Arts Prize in 2005. It features soldiers crossing the mountain on the Truong Son Trail to reach the South.

After the war ended in 1975, Truong travelled around the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta to capture the daily lives of local people.

His works have been displayed and published in HCM City and Ha Noi.

Truong won many prizes and honours from the Viet Nam Association of Photographic Artists including Excellent Photographic Artist and Photographic Artist who has made Excellent Contributions.

The Government has bestowed him many honours, including the Labour Award, first class.

Heritage tourism a must for Hue ancient village

Ancient village Phuoc Tich in Hue City must be preserved and its residents should live on heritage tourism, Japanese expert Hiromichi Tomoda from Showa University stressed at a meeting with locals and authorities Thursday.

Home to 24 valuable old houses with the oldest dating from 1850 and 1870 which are all surrounded by large gardens, the site, said Hiromichi, should be developed into a main tourist attraction of Hue, especially for the coming Hue festival in April 2012.

For 2 years, the professor has worked alongside 20 other Japanese researchers to study the village’s history, architecture, lifestyle, cuisine, landscape and propose a sustainable developing plan for it through heritage tourism.

Although Phuoc Tinh became a tourist spot three years ago and received positive feedbacks, poor service, transportation, accommodation and even the villagers’ lack of hospitality have not done it justice, complained many Hue-based travel agencies, adding that there has even been no promotional program from local authorities.

Now that the Japanese team has wrapped up their research, the project is arriving at a second phase where the experts will help villagers boost tourism by teaching them how to revive traditional crafts such as Phuoc Tinh pottery besides having more promotion activities and services, Hiromichi said.

American author sends books to Vietnam’s Spratly Islands

James G. Zumwalt, a Vietnam veteran and author of “Bare Feet, Iron Will ~ Stories from the Other Side of Vietnam's Battlefields,” published last year in America by Fortis Publishing, would give 500 Vietnamese copies of the book to the Vietnamese soldiers based in the Spratly Islands and 6 northern provinces of the country.

Distributed by First News Company in Vietnam, the book, which was begun in 1994, took 17 years to finish as the author made 54 trips to the country for data research and interviews with veterans who used to be his enemies.

As James listened to their personal stories of loss, sacrifice and hardship, it opened his eyes to how a technically inferior army, driven by an "iron will," was able “to emerge triumphant,” the website Amazon wrote in its book review.

“I want to give these books to the soldiers who are protecting Vietnam. With this “bare feet and iron will” that made Vietnam’s victory 35 years ago, these soldiers would surely be further empowered and encouraged to guard their land.”

Now an author, speaker and business executive, James came from a military family -- his father, Elmo R. Zumwalt was the Marine Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt -- and served in the US Marine as a Lieutenant Colonel during the American War.

Singer bombards public walls with self-ads

A Vietnamese singer who is virtually unknown to the public has decided to rise from obscurity by having his name sprayed on public spaces in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces.

Many walls, utility poles, bridges in HCMC’s Thu Duc District, Tan Binh District to District 12 and provinces of Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, and Binh Duong have been covered with ugly green or blue writings reading “Singer Han Quoc Hung”.

Even private houses have also been ‘attacked’, as many owners have contacted the press to voice their anger, Tuoi Tre reported.

When photos of these graffiti writings spread in the online community, netizens started their search from the name ‘Han Quoc Hung’ and found out some of his cheesy songs uploaded in a music website which discloses no other information about him except for a blurry photo.

Hung’s self-advertising PR strategy seems not to work, as net users have called for boycotting his works and even requested the music site to delete all of his songs.

Before jumping to conclusions, it should be said that the doodling could probably have been done by Hung’s fanatic fans, if he has any.

Hoi An, Japan cultural festival begins  

The 9th Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival opened yesterday in the ancient town of Hoi An, in the central province of Quang Nam.
 
Japanese artists and students from Kim Dong secondary school in Hoi An town held a performance showcasing the friendship between Vietnam and Japan.

During the two day event, sport and cultural activities like calligraphy exhibitions, stick pushing competition, boat racing and popular games of Vietnam will take place.

On the final night of the festival, a prayer ceremony will be held for all the victims of this year’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The People’s Committee of Hoi An town and the Japan International Cooperation Agency has also organized a seminar to discuss ways to lure more Japanese visitors to the ancient town of Hoi An, a world cultural heritage site, which already receives 16,000 Japanese visitors annually.

Hoi An has several relics bearing the hallmark of Japan like the three Japanese tombs, remains of Hizen pottery and  the Cau Pagoda, an important symbol of Hoi An town.

The Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival is held annually in Hoi An since 2003 to focus attention on this World Cultural Heritage Site and to lure in more local and international tourists, particularly Japanese tourists.

Vietnamese artist to exhibit in Japan  

A solo exhibition by Nguyen Thu Ha, a contemporary Vietnamese visual artist, opened in Japan’s Eikyu Beppu Theater on August 17.

The art installation, themed Steam, is inspired by the tranquility of Beppu city with its renowned onsen (hot springs). Ha has converted an old historical theater at the heart of Beppu into a “steam place” where people can come and enjoy pure calm.

The artist is currently participating in a seven-week residency program in Beppu, Japan through JENESYS, a program funded by the Japan Foundation.

Nguyen Thu Ha is among 20 young and emerging artists and designers from 13 Asia Pacific countries invited by JENESYS to stay in different residency programs and institutions across Japan this year.

The Japan Foundation will then support their process of producing artwork and developing networks with their peers in Japan, in order to seek new forms of exchange and foster mutual understanding.

The exhibition, which is free of charge, will close on September 4.

New talents to hit L’Espace with songs and poetry  

The French Cultural Center L’Espace will host an evening of new song and poetry talent in Hanoi September 17.

Young artists who sing and read poetry in Vietnamese, French and English will perform from 8.30pm to 9.30p.m.that night. Soft drinks will be served.

L'Espace encourages young poets and singers who want to perform to contact Cédric Drouard  at cedminimum@hotmail.fr.

Entrance to the event is free.

L’Espace is located at 24 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

Hanoi hosts short film fest  
   
Award winning international short films from different countries will be screened at the latest edition of Future Shorts ONE, a monthly film festival, that will be held next week in Hanoi.  

One of them is Radiostan, a journey from Kyrgyzstan to Moscow, in which people’s lives are turned in and out like the changing frequencies on a radio.  

Children discuss life’s eternal dilemma of having permanent teeth in Klaus Kjeldsen’s The Loose Tooth. A kaleidoscope of colors and heads make up the strange landscape of I Like U, the debut music video for French indie rockers The Chase.  

Other highlights include Stuck In a Groove, A Family Portrait, La Dame Au Chien, and winner of Best the British Short Film award at the 2010 Edinburgh International Film Festival, Baby.

Unlike other film festivals, Future Shorts ONE, launched in Hanoi last November, aims to bring short films to every corner of society, taking place in bars, warehouses, theaters, cinemas and elsewhere.  

Since 2003, Future Shorts has created a rapidly expanding network that gives filmmakers an opportunity to have their films seen on the largest theatrical platform worldwide.

This month’s program will start on August 20 at 7 p.m. with a live music performance by singer Phuong Dang, and then continue with a show of Vietnamese short films from 8 p.m. International short films will be screened at 9 p.m. and end with a DJ performance one hour later.

Tickets costing VND50,000 can be brought at Le Cooperative, 46 An Duong, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi.

Ethnology museum hosts Mid-autumn festival

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and a Vietnamese family guidance website will hold the 2011 Mid-autumn Festival for Hanoian children between September 10 and 12.

Participants in the festival will include children from Hanoi, child cancer patients, and orphans.

Many interesting and useful activities will be provided such as the chance to play folk games that will help children practise communication skills, improve their self-esteem and independence, and enhance their ability to explore new things. These games are also expected to help them avoid violent games and social evils.

Other activities in the festival will include making glutinous rice cakes, laying Mid-autumn dishes, painting, and making toy ships.

Five local works bid for Singapore Grand Prize

Five artworks by Vietnamese artists have been nominated for the S$45,000 Grand Prize of the Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation Signature Art Prize, organizers said.

The entries by Bui Cong Khanh, Ly Hoang Ly, Minh Phuong Nguyen, Pham Huy Thong and Thua Le Tien are among 130 artworks from 24 countries and territories vying for the Grand Prize of the contest, organized by the Singapore Art Museum with presenting sponsor APB Foundation.

The event recognizes artists for outstanding work, profiles significant recent creations coming from the region’s contemporary art landscape, and encourages the development of contemporary art in Asia Pacific.

The second edition of the triennial contest has been expanded to include nominations from the whole region. Thirty-one independent art professionals and curators selected the 130 works, nominated for being ground-breaking or note-worthy works created between 2008 and 2010.

The nominations feature a wide range of painting, mixed media, installation, video art, photography and prints, sculpture and performance art, with a significant increase in entries for video and moving-image works and monumental-sized installations.

Tan Boon Hui, director of the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), commented in a statement that the prize recognized and highlighted the best in this region’s contemporary art developments in recent years.

The contest has a total of S$85,000 up for grabs. Besides the Grand Prize, the organizers will present three Jurors’ Prizes with each valued at S$10,000 and one People’s Choice Award worth S$10,000 that garners the most public votes.

Art experts will shortlist 15 works on October 1, when the public will be able to vote online and nominate their favorite work for the People’s Choice Award at www.singaporeartmuseum.sg/signatureartprize.

Art lovers will be allowed to cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award at an exhibition to open the final artworks at the SAM on November 11.

Organizers will announce the Grand Prize, Jurors’ Prize and People’s Choice Award winners at the Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize Awards Dinner on November 18.

The success of the inaugural prize in 2008 motivated the APB Foundation to increase its funding and offer artists from the whole Asia Pacific region the opportunity to compete for the prestigious prize. In all, the foundation has doubled its prize funding from US$2.25 million for five editions to US$4.45 million.

As a result, the 2011 edition received close to four times more nominated artworks compared to the inaugural edition and will have 15 finalists shortlisted for the Grand Prize rather than 10 three years ago.

Handbag exporter nets young entrepreneur award  

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan, 32, a handbag exporter from Hanoi, has won the British Council Vietnam’s International Young Creative Entrepreneur award.

The first runner-up was Ngo Thai Uyen from HCMC who is CEO and Creative Director of NTU Design and Head of Fashion Design Department in ADS School. The second runner-up is Dang Vo, founder of BrandBox, a HCMC branding agency.

The trio will receive their awards at a ceremony held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the Hard Rock Cafe in District 1, HCMC.

Lan will go on a trip to London to attend the prestigious London Fashion Week where she will have a chance to meet internationally-renowned designers, models and representatives from fashion houses across the world.

Lan graduated from Hanoi Foreign Trade University before working for a group of Japanese entrepreneurs who imported handmade bags from Vietnam.

In 2003 Lan established Lan Viet Fashion Co, exporting exclusively-designed bags made by skilled local craftsmen and women.

Her customers are from the U.K, Spain, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. One of her secrets is seeking out opportunities to display new designs in international trade fairs such as London, Madrid, New York and Sydney.

This is the third time the British Council Vietnam has run the International Young Creative Entrepreneur award organized by the global British Council.

This year’s award aimed to develop the potential of young creative entrepreneurs working in the design sector.

Fine Art welcomes UNESCO World Federations

An exhibition of Vietnamese painting and sculpture opened at the Hanoi Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi on August 18 to welcome the 8th World Congress of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA), currently taking place in Hanoi.  

The exhibition, which also coincides with the WFUCA’s 30th anniversary, displays the works of nearly 120 Vietnamese artists from all over the country and abroad, ranging in age from 20 to 90. Some of the artists are exhibiting their work for the first time.

The overall theme of exhibition is the land and people of Vietnam, which the artists have expressed exuberantly in a wide variety of media representing Vietnamese art during the doi moi (renewal) process over the past few decades.

The most striking pieces in the exhibition are the five buffalo sculptures by well known artist Le Dinh Nguyen, particularly the creaking, rotating, rope-wrapped barrel buffalo which is the first thing visitors notice as they enter the room. Nguyen assembles a wide range of materials, including wood, metal, rope, stone and even ice, to create different visions of the water buffalo, a traditional symbol of Vietnam, some with moveable parts the viewer can touch and change position.

Other examples of three dimensional work on show are the wooden sculpture 'Going to School' by Khuc Quoc An, and a bronze by Le Dinh Quy. The so-called 'bronze engravings' by Ha Huy Hiep and Vu Viet Quang are actually reliefs made from hammered and cut bronze that, although they are presented in frames and hung on the wall, can also be considered as sculpture.

The vast majority of works on display are paintings, particularly oils and acrylics, but also gouache and tempera. Landscapes and village scenes are the dominant topics, as to be expected given the theme, in addition to portraits, interiors and still lifes. The small landscape in tempera, Song Nhue, by 91 year old Le Thi, has a particular naive charm, in contrast with the bold, cubist influenced colours and shapes of 'Native Suite,' an oil painting by Do Ngoc Oanh. The striking blues and purples in the acrylic of Mount Fansipan by Le Van Ky also stand out, as does the monochrome oil 'Confiding' by Pham Van Tien and the diminutive village scene in tempera by Nguyen Duc Cuong.

There are also many examples of that most quintessentially Vietnamese medium, lacquer painting, representing both traditional and more experimental techniques. Some of the most impressive are the large, semi-abstract 'Mountain Street' by young artist Nguyen Xuan Anh, the grand, more traditional 'Banana Flowers' by Chu Van Hai, and the small but intriguing 'Afternoon Street' by Ha Huy Muoi. 'Forest Banana Flowers' by Nguyen Thu Huong and the lava-like textures in 'Thirst' by Bui Mai Hien were also very eye-catching.

There are few examples of other media but the most notable are the brightly coloured fabric/mixed media collage, 'Playground', by Nguyen Thi Phuong Lan; 'Morning-Noon-Evening,' a triptych of relief prints by Nguyen Thi Yen Trang; and the subtle, rather mysterious, mixed media piece called 'Contemplation' by Nguyen Thu Thuy.

A book entitled 'Vietnam Sculptures, Paintings', funded by contributions from Vietnam UNESCO and individual artists, dedicated to the success of the 8th World UNESCO Federation Conference, was published for occasion by the Culture and Information Publishing House in conjunction with the exhibition.

Painter and member of the Executive Committee of the Overseas Vietnamese Association, Nguyen Bang Lam, who also has work in the show, said in his speech that the artists 'have always shared the UNESCO spirit of peace, friendship and good deeds.' This exhibition perfectly illustrates that spirit, as well as a strong pride in their homeland, which makes it a joyful and interesting experience.

The event was attended by Vietnam Communist Party Central Committee member and Deputy Head of the CPVCC Organisation Commission, Tran Luu Hai; the WFUCA president George Chrisophides; president of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations (VFUA) and Secretary General of WFUCA, Nguyen Xuan Thang; and UNESCO representative in Vietnam, head of the UNESCO office in Hanoi, Katherine Muller Marin, among others.

The exhibition will continue at the Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi until August 22.

PV