Vietnam attends int’l book fair in India

Over 100 Vietnamese book titles which have been translated into the English language are being displayed at the 35th International Book Fair, opened in Kolkata, West Bengal state, India on Jan. 29.

Three of the book titles, including the “Diary in Prison” of late President Ho Chi Minh, were translated into the Hindi language.

Earlier, Secretary General of the book fair Tridib Chatterjee and Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Tan attended a ceremony to launch the Vietnamese book pavilion on Jan. 27.

Ambassador Tan called for stronger bilateral multifaceted cooperation, including in culture between Vietnam and India in general and with West Bengal state, in particular.

Kolkata hosts one of the three world’s largest book fairs every year.

This year’s event, which will last until Feb. 7, is expected to attract four million people.

Int’l music exchange held in Hanoi

The Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) on Jan. 28 held an international music exchange to mark the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival and the successful organisation of the 11 th National Party Congress.

Addressing the event, Dao Van Binh, chairman of HUFO said that the programme represented the fine sentiment of the Vietnamese to international friends who have supported Vietnam in the integration and development process, raising the country’s prestige in the international arena.

On programme included a fashion show and traditional music performances by artists from Vietnam, Russia, Indonesia, China and Japan.

Hanoi Museum exhibits 3000 objects

On January 29, the Hanoi Museum displayed nearly 3000 items which have been presented to it by organisations and individuals.

On January 28, 2010, the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched a campaign for donations gifts of documents and objects to the Hanoi Museum.

The campaign attracted a great number of both Vietnamese and foreign people and the museum received about 3000 items. Notably, one individual presented 600 objects, including Dong Son bronze drums.

The exhibition also honours those who are preserving the cultural values of Thang Long-Hanoi.

Their time to shine

A group of 52 artists from HCM City is presenting an overview of current lacquer paintings at their exhibition at the HCM City Fine Arts College.

Son Mai Sai Gon 2011 (Sai Gon Lacquer) features more than 50 works in different styles, using the traditional material of lacquer.

Being a native of the northern province of Ha Tay (now part of Hanoi ), the influence of Le Xuan Chieu's birthplace can be seen in his art works.

The lecturer of the HCM City Fine Arts College highlighted work is Ho Guom (Sword Lake), featuring Vietnamese girls in traditional costume ao dai (traditional long dress) at Ho Guom, a landmark of Hanoi .

Like Chieu, landscapes and beautiful women are also sources of inspiration of veteran artists like 83-year-old Hoang Tram's Ha Long (Ha Long Bay) and Ca Le Dung's Xom Cau Van (Cau Van Village).

This year's exhibition features works of artists born in the 1980s, including students of the Fine Arts College Tran Thi Ngoc Linh and Vu Thi Thuy Dung.

The youngest participant, Linh of the college, brings a modern breath and image to her lacquer work. Linh's Toi Dang Lang Nghe (I Am Listening) portrays a girl in modern clothes listening to music with an earphone.

Held for the first time last year, the event falls on December 21 of the lunar calendar, the day that honours the memory of the ancestor who founded Vietnamese lacquer-making.

The exhibition remains open until February 12 at the Applied Arts Gallery at HCM City Fine Arts College, 5 Phan Dang Luu Street, Binh Thanh District./.

Spring exhibition highlights the Party’s historic role

A photo exhibition on the Party and President Ho Chi Minh opened in Lam Son park, Ho Chi Minh City, on January 27 to thank the Lunar New Year festival and the success of the 11th National Party Congress as well as the 81st anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

80 photographs feature the Party and President Ho Chi Minh’s role in leading the Vietnamese revolution over the past 81 years as well as Ho Chi Minh City’s socio-economic, political, and cultural achievements in 2010.

The exhibition will last until February 10.

Golden Kite Film Festival 2011 to take place in Ho Chi Minh City

The award ceremony of the Golden Kite Film Festival will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 13, said Hong Ngat, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Film Association (VFA).

Ngat said the VFA had received the first film entries for the Festival.

2010 is considered to be a bumper year for the film industry with tens of art and entertainment films being produced.

However, as there is still nearly a month left until the deadline, the Organising Board has not received many entries yet.

Antique exhibition to open during Tet

Antique lovers will be able to indulge at a new exhibition that is being organised by Ha Noi's Antiques Lovers Club.

Royal robes that were worn by kings and mandarins from the Nguyen dynasty, ceramic ware from the Le and Nguyen dynasties and paintings by famous Vietnamese contemporary artists will be on display at the event.

The exhibition will be held at the Exhibition House at No 93 Dinh Tien Hoang Street till February 25.

Antique collector Nguyen Truong, chairman of the club noted that an enormous amount of effort was given to preserve the objects on display.

Hue to organise prayer for peace and happiness

A traditional festival to pray for peace and happiness will be held at Hue City's Huyen Tran Cultural Centre.

The eight-day festival will begin on February 10 (the 8th day of the first month of the lunar calendar), featuring three cultural events that highlight the historic royal city's culture and lifestyle.

Dozens of traditional theatre, music and song programmes will be staged by members of professional and amateur art troupes.

Traditional games such as chess and martial arts will feature several hundred people and masters of kung fu.

Visitors will also enjoy open-air culinary and flower-arranging activities during the festival.

The festival is expected to attract 50,000 people.

CNN praises 17th century Truong Luy rampart

CNN aired a documentary on the Truong Luy rampart on Wednesday.

The television station said the site was of significant archaeological interest and an ideal destination for adventure tourists in Southeast Asia.

Truong Luy, which was built in the 17th century, runs north to south for about 200km through the central provinces of Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh along the Truong Son mountain range.

PV