Many visitors have flocked to the ongoing spring calligraphy festival 2024 getting underway at Hanoi’s Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, or Temple of Literature, as they ask for calligraphic works on the first days of the lunar new year.
The festival is held annually to promote traditional culture, preserve the uniqueness of calligraphic art, uphold the spirit of learning among the younger generation, and show respect for scholars.
The festival opens on February 3, or the 24th day of the last month of the lunar year of the cat, and is due to last through to February 18, or the ninth day of the first lunar month.
This year sees the festival draw the participation of 40 calligraphers who are all members of calligraphic clubs in the capital.
A foreign couple are eager to ask for calligraphy works and pray for good luck.
The act of giving letters at the Temple of Literature is rooted in the tradition of studiousness that originally comes from ancient times. Before each important exam, students often come here to ask for words like "Đăng Khoa" (registration) and "Đỗ Đạt" (pass).
A family asks for the word “An”, which means peace.
The calligraphers don Ao Dai, the national long dress, and sit in bamboo tents following the traditions of the past.
Working on red or yellow Do (poonah) paper, they write scripts which are intended to bring good health, luck, and prosperity for those in attendance, representing people's wishes moving into the lunar new year.
The calligraphic works are then used to decorate people's homes during the festive celebrations.
It's a tradition for both locals and tourists to visit the Temple of Literature, especially during the spring calligraphy festival, in order to have meaningful words written in calligraphy for the lunar new year.
Vietnamnet.vn
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