ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 14/5
May 14, 2012
Documentary film on Hoang Sa screened in France
A documentary film on the Hoang Sa archipelago by Vietnamese French director Andre Menras was screened at the Vietnamese Culture Centre in Paris on May 11.
The film entitled “Hoang Sa Vietnam: Noi dau mat mat” (Vietnam’s Hoang Sa: Pain and Loss) reflected the life of fishermen in the coastal district of Binh Son and the island district of Ly Son, the central province of Quang Ngai. Despite difficulties, fishermen go fishing, affirming sovereignty over the sea and islands.
Images of widows and orphans whose husbands and fathers died during voyages for earning their living and for the Fatherland’s sacred territorial touched the heart of the audiences.
Menras told correspondents that he has visited Vietnam for many times to meet local people and authorities to better his understanding of the nature and the live of fishermen in the central region.
He said he will continue to screen the films and raise fund for needy fishermen in Vietnam.
Earlier, the film was presented in other French cities such as Toulouse and Beziers and some European countries like Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland.
Hanoi to host exhibition on sea-cultural-heritage
An exhibition on sea-cultural-heritage will open at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi on May 18.
The exhibition will present to the public outstanding contributions made by the establishment of international maritime trading activities in the country. The event will also convey a message on the island sovereignty of Vietnam.
The display will include three contents that will include the Vietnamese sea-cultural-heritage from prehistoric ages to the 10th century, Vietnamese sea-cultural-heritage from the 11th century to the 18th century, and Vietnamese sea-cultural-heritage from the 19th century to the present day.
Visitors will have a chance to enjoy archaeological relics representing Ha Long, Quynh Van and Xom Oc cultures, and learn from exchanges on various cultures from residents.
The display has rare and valuable exhibits such as ancient spice route maps; Southeast Asian maps; Ke Cho trading port; ancient ships founded in Hon Cau, Binh Thuan and Ca Mau; Hoang Sa archipelago map from Minh Mang dynastry (1838); and historical documents on Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands.
The exhibition will also mark the 122nd birth anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19) and International Museum Day (May 18).
European literature celebrated in Hanoi
Vietnam National Library in Hanoi has been stocking up with Western classics for European Literature Day, which began on May 11.
The books, which have recently been published in Vietnamese, include classics, contemporary novels and short stories, books for young readers, comics and even an entertaining history of philosophy from Italy, Spain, Wallonia-Brussels (Belgium), Germany, Britain, Denmark, and Poland.
Literature Day has been organized by the European Union of National Institute for Culture in coordination with the Vietnam National Library.
During the two-day event, there will also be discussions, book presentations and readings in the library’s entrance hall.
This is the second time the event has been held in Hanoi for the annual Europe Days celebrations.
Denmark hosted an interactive programme on May 12 with parents during which books children had the chance to read books and play educational game.
There will also be two discussions involving those in the publishing industry and keen readers and discounted book on sale.
Also in the morning of May 12, Andy Stanton, the author of Mr Gum, met with young readers. Later he will participate in a roundtable discussion with Vietnamese writers and translators on the topics “Introducing foreign literature in Vietnam” and “Building bridges” with books themed “Bringing foreign literature to Vietnam.”
The Spanish embassy and the Cervantes Institute also held a display on the history of book publishing from old manuscripts to contemporary electronic books and an exhibition on Don Quixote de la Mancha that was first published in Spain in 1605.
The exhibition of European literature will show more than 300 titles that have been translated into Vietnamese since 1950s.
Homeland featured in photo exhibition in Hanoi
A photograph exhibition entitled “Que Nha” (Homeland) is being held in Hanoi to mark significant events in the country’s history, including the 37th anniversary of South Vietnam Liberation Day and the 58th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu historic victory.
On display are nearly 90 works featuring the beautiful rural areas such as village gates, rice fields, dykes, rivers and bridges.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to charity organizations to help Agent Orange victims, underprivileged children and orphans.
Vietnam Festival in Japan to be held in September
Vietnam Festival in Japan will take place in Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, Japan, on September 15-16.
The event is organized by the Vietnam Festival Council in co-ordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan.
There will be a “Meet Vietnam!” area, where Vietnam’s food, souvenirs, music and culture are introduced to Japanese people.
The first festival, held in 2008 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, attracted 150,000 visitors.
Since then, it has been an annual event to push cultural exchange and reinforce the close relations between the two nations.
Another 13 sites listed as special national relics
An additional 13 historical sites nationwide have been listed as special national relics under the Government’s decision dated May 10.
They include the ancient capital of Hoa Lu in northern Ninh Binh province, the Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi, the ancient citadel of the Ho Dynasty in central Thanh Hoa province, the President Ho Chi Minh commemorative site in central Nghe An province and the Con Dao prison in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and others.
The Prime Minister has asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Chairmen of the People’s Committees at all levels to manage the relics in line with regulations on cultural heritage.
VNN/VOV/VNA/SGGP
