THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITIONS TO CELEBRATE THE CENTRAL PARTY OF VIETNAM AND THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON 2024
On the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930) and the Lunar New Year, Hanoi Museum opened two exhibitions and held many other activities on February 1, 2024.
Attending the opening ceremony were Associate Professor Dr. Bui Xuan Dinh; Dr. Tran Doan Lam; Artist Le The Minh - Director of Columbus Vietnam Brand Joint Stock Company who designed and constructed the exhibition; Ms Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam - Chairman of the Support Fund for the Conservation of Vietnamese Cultural Heritage; Mr. Nguyen Tien Da - Director of Hanoi Museum; Mr. Dang Minh Ve - Deputy Director of Hanoi Museum. Representatives of the units coordinating the exhibition attended the event, including Nam Chi, artist Mr Ngo Quy Duc - Return to the Village and Mr. Tran Trung Hieu. Companies' Representatives also participated, including Sofia Furniture Joint Stock Company, H-Ceramic Company Limited, Kym Viet Joint Stock Company, Vun Art Cooperative, other organisations and individuals, and retired officers of the Hanoi Museum. Reporters representing central and local press agencies attended to cover the event.
Following the opening ceremony, Hanoi Museum publically announced the opening of two exhibitions: "Telling Dragon Stories in the Year of the Dragon" and "Traditional Customs of Hanoi Tet." It also organised the seminar "Traditional Customs of Hanoi Tet".
Delegates cut the opening ribbon.
The exhibition "Telling Dragon Stories in the Year of the Dragon" introduces more than 100 documents and artefacts which clarify the dragon symbol in religious and belief architecture through the Hanoi Museum's collection of artefacts. The collection also includes dragons in contemporary fine arts, expressed through craft village products and unique handicraft products. The exhibition contains three themes: Dragon images in religious and belief architecture, Dragon images in daily life, and Dragon images in contemporary life.Associate Professor Dr. Bui Xuan Dinh spoke about the ancient Tet preparations of the Hanoi people. He said: "Lunar New Year originated from outside, becoming a unique few days for Vietnamese people. Tet lasts for three days, but for it to happen in those three days, the elders and fathers had to thoughtfully start to prepare in advance, no later than by the end of December. Tet focuses on eating and drinking, celebrating Tet. People were hungry all year round but full for three days of Tet. Some dishes are only available during Tet, like Chung Cake and frozen meat. In the past, Chung Cake was only available during the Tet period, with the pot of banh chung being the celebration's highlight, served with green beans and pork. Chung Cake embodies a perfect philosophy. Furthermore, people in the past had a hard life; their only opportunity to eat healthily was on Tet. Because of that, Tet is considered a symbol of prosperity".
Associate Professor. Dr. Bui Xuan Dinh and Dr. Tran Doan Lam spoke at the seminar.
The exhibition "Traditional Customs of Hanoi Tet" displays and introduces Chung Cake, the custom of erecting the new year pole; couplets, pictures, and asking for words on Tet; ornamental plants on Tet holiday; Tet fireworks; Tet markets (past and present) aim to recall the customs of the traditional national Tet holiday. The exhibition is shown through a collection of domestic and foreign photos, combined with art installations in the traditional customs exhibition space, recalling the traditional customs, practices and cultural beauty associated with the ethnic festival."The meaning of wishes represents people's feelings and wishes, the good things that have not been achieved in the year that has passed, which will be completed in the new year. These wishes motivate people to live, work, and hope that the new year will have many new successes. Regarding psychology and physiology, when spring comes, people's yang energy develops so summer can reach the yang state. Therefore, people themselves are very excited. The children and grandchildren wish him good luck. Dr. Tran Doan Lam emphasised that parents and people wishing for each other also reflect human development in spring and human aspirations".At the same time, Hanoi Museum also organises exchange activities and shares beautiful photos taken at Hanoi Museum under the theme "Spring Moments". The organisers receive pictures from January 27 - February 27. The award ceremony will take place on March 8.
Department of Display and Education
