Vietnam’s cultural heritage exhibited

A photo exhibition featuring Vietnam’s cultural heritage will be held on October 10 in Hanoi to celebrate the 57th anniversary of the capital city’s Liberation Day (October 10, 1954-October 10, 2011).

The event aims to review and present awards to winners of a photo competition which was launched from January to July, 2011. The exhibition attracted 2012 entries of 282 photographers from 38 provinces and cities nationwide with a total of 2010 pieces of artwork.

They focus on Vietnam’s heritages which have been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), such as intangible and tangible heritage the complex of Hue Relics, My Son  Relics, Hoi An ancient streets, Thang Long Royal Citadel, Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Nha Nhac (Hue Royal Court Music), the Central Highlands’ gong culture, Bac Ninh folk songs, Ca Tru (ceremonial singing), Giong festival at Phu Dong and Soc temples.

The jury council has selected 16 photos for one first prize, two second prizes, three third prizes and ten consolation prizes, the first prize winner Tran Viet Van from Hanoi.

The selected photos will be exhibited in some cities both, at home and abroad to promote tourism and raise public awareness of Vietnam’s efforts to preserve its heritage.

Canadian jazz star to light up capital

One of Toronto's most in-demand vocalists in Canada, jazz singer Kate Bowen, will entertain audiences in Hanoi when she performs for six nights a week from October 4.

Sultry, alluring and often called an old soul, Bowen's voice never ceases to captivate audiences with its depth and vocal maturity.

Her passion for music and singing was nurtured from a very young age and in her early 20s. She was signed to a record label in the US, where she worked on her own album and wrote songs for other singers.

In Toronto, she has been a regular act at several of the city's popular live music venues, regularly performing with her band.

With a maturity beyond her years and outstanding poise on stage, Bowen has become a sought-after vocalist in her Canadian hometown, recording with some of the best local musicians and producers and receiving offers from international bands.

Before coming to Hanoi, Bowen was invited to perform at the iconic luxury Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong.

French photographer’s ‘panorama of Vietnam’ exhibition

French photographer Thiery Beyne is holding an artistic photographic exhibition ‘Panorama of Vietnam’ at Novotel Hotel in Nha Trang City from October 3-31.

On display are 11 sequential photos and seven single photos taken by Beyne since 1997, which reflect people’s daily life as well as customs and changes in Vietnam.

A freelancer photographer, Beyne is a member of France’s non-governmental organization AVEED in Nha Trang city.

He has so far organized 12 exhibitions, featuring the normal life of Asians, especially Vietnamese, in Paris.

Beyne has spent part of his money set aside from selling the photos helping poor children in Khanh Hoa province.

Cedric Hanriot trio perform in HCMC, Hanoi

The Cedric Hanriot trio will guest at the Center of Cultural Exchange with France (Idecaf) in HCMC on October 18 and 48 hours later at the French Cultural Center L’Espace in Hanoi.

Audiences will be blown away by works composed by French musicians such as Jacques Brel, Serge Gainsbourg and Edith Piaf under the form of contemporary jazz thanks to the harmonious combination of afro-beat, hip hop and electro music by jazz musician/pianist Cedric Hanriot.

Hanriot will play piano, while Bertrand Bernard will be on bass and contrabass and Jean-Baptiste Pinet is on drums to perform numbers like Hoang hon (The sunset) and Tho bo lac (Tribal poets).

Tickets priced at VND100,000 and VND50,000 for students are available at Idecaf, 31 Thai Van Lung Street, District 1 and at L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi. Both gigs start at 8 p.m.

City hosts Hanoi Book Festival 2011  

The Hanoi Book Festival 2011 is being held at the Labor and Cultural Palace in Ho Chi Minh City from October 1 until October 9.  

The event presents to readers more than 10,000 books on contemporary subjects of various topics, offered at 20-50 percent discount during the festival.

Many publishers such as National Political Publishing House, Youth Publishing House, Education Publishing House, Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House and Vietnam News Agency Publishing House are participating in the book festival.

Hanoi Book Festival 2011 themed “Knowledge Connection” also gives readers a chance to exchange their old books for new ones from October 6-9.

These old books will be used for charity purposes and donated to readers in remote areas of the country.

Russian exhibition with different subjects

An exhibition of 24 paintings and four sculptures by Russian artists from the Sun Square Fine Arts Organisation opened yesterday in Ha Noi.

Each artist works with different styles, such as abstract, landscape and portraits.

Stephan Sagaiko, director of the organisation, said Russian artists relished the opportunity to display their works in Viet Nam.

"Through the exhibition we expect that we can integrate with the world of contemporary fine arts," Sagaiko said.

The exhibition will run until this weekend at the Russian Centre for International Scientific and Cultural Co-operation, Kim Ma Street.

The artists will return in February next year to organise a similar exhibition in HCM City to celebrate 20 years since their organisation was founded.

Top Japanese artists to sing in Hanoi

The Japanese Embassy in Vietnam will host a music event featuring Japan’s top singers and idol groups to mark the 100-year anniversary of Hanoi Opera House in Hanoi this weekend.

Pop groups AAA, Exile, W-inds, AKB48 will share the same stage with veteran folk singer Godai Natsuko and opera performer Sugi Ryotaro in “Japan – Vietnam Music Festival 2011”, which is part of a series of events held to celebrate the national theatre’s 100th birthday.

While Godai Natsuko is considered one of the best Japanese folk artists of her generation, Sugi Ryutaro has been praised by critics for breathing new life into contemporary opera in the country.

Girl group AKB48, boy band AAA, Exile and W-inds are worthy representatives of Japan’s popular culture and contemporary music, who have won hundreds of thousands of fans and have hit records sold both in and outside the country.

Vietnam will have two artists to join the program; however organizers have yet to disclose their names.

To air live on central broadcaster VTV and Japan’s national television NHK, “Japan – Vietnam Music Festival 2011” will have two big screens installed outside the theatre for the general public.

It will take place on September 9 at Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien, Hanoi.

Centuries-old palace in serious damage

A national centuries-old relic - the Ly Palace or Bao Thanh Palace - lying just outside the World Cultural Heritage Ho Citadel in Thanh Hoa Province is in serious damage.

During time and war, numerous antiquities there became lost or seriously damaged.

Inside the palace is a stele building where locals have been drawing graffiti and leaving their cattle to graze on since it has no guards and a fencing wall.

Located in Ha Trung District, the palace was built at the end of the 14th century for King Tran Thuan Tong who lived there after ceding the throne to his son, King Tran Thieu De in 1398.

The relic’s trace was first excavated in 1979.

In 1999, the palace was recognized as a nation’s cultural and historical relic.

Photo exhibition to mark diplomatic tie

A photo exhibition is being held in Ho Chi Minh City to mark Romania’s 93rd National Independence Day which falls on December 1 and the country’s 61-year diplomatic relation with Vietnam.

Organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Embassy of Romania, the exhibition, titled “Vietnam- Romania, 60 years of diplomatic relations” will feature 120 file photos of the two countries.

It will remain open until the end of October at the HCMC Museum of War Remnants, 28 Vo Van Tan, District 3, HCMC.

Website on Vietnamese, foreign comics launched

Publisher Phan Thi Company has set up a website on Vietnamese and foreign comic strips at truyentranhviet.vn.

It features information and articles about the history of comics, honors famous comic authors, and sells books online.

It also provides a forum for youths interested in creating comics to upload video clips.
Phan Thi’s “Than Dong Dat Viet” (Vietnamese whiz kids) comic strip has been popular since its launch in 2002.
It depicts Vietnamese folk stories and tales from the Le Dynasty era through the character of Trang Ti, a clever eight-year-old, and his friends Suu, Dan, and Meo.

Every installment sells 30,000 copies on average.

PV