Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands Comes to Hanoi

The exhibition titled “Torito de Pucará” (Pucará Bull) not only showcases 18 stunning Peruvian ceramic pieces but also includes unique paintings by renowned artists Le Huy, his students, and Tran Anh Tuan. These artworks beautifully symbolize the friendship between Peru and Vietnam, commemorating the 29th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The Pucará Bull exhibition is an exclusive showcase of the most renowned works of art from Pucará, a town located in the Andean highlands of Peru. It is an old tradition in the town to place a pair of "Pucará Bulls" on the rooftop to protect the family living there.

In Torito de Pucará, “torito” means “little bull”. The bulls represent prosperity, happiness, and peace. The bulls carry colourful and ornate designs while having originally been used as jugs or canteens. They have now become part of Peruvian culture, holding significance in ritual ceremonies, carnival festivities, and other activities significant to the Peruvian people.

The "Pucará Bull" exhibition showcases 18 meticulously crafted ceramic artworks that exhibit distinctive designs, decorations, and a high aesthetic value.

Speaking at the opening of the event on September 18 in Hanoi, Ambassador of Peru to Vietnam Augusto Morelli Salgado, on behalf of the people and government of Peru, thanks the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, the People's Committee of Hanoi as well as other ministries, departments, sectors, accompanying units, artists and volunteers for their support.

The Ambassador highlighted the special feature of the exhibition is the works crafted by Peruvian artisans, the presence of bull statues bearing a strong symbolic statue of friendship between the two countries was contributed by two artists Le Huy and Tran Anh Tuan.

Artist Le Huy (left) at the opening ceremony.

After the exhibition is over, the Embassy will deposit one of the above works into the National Collection titled "Pucara Bull Around the World", continuing the traveling exhibition around the world. The remaining statue will be retained and displayed as a symbol of the friendship between Peru and Vietnam within the framework of 29 years of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation under Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Tran Nhat Hoang affirmed that cultural and artistic exchange events are one of the important factors helps promote the ties.

This is the first time the Vietnamese art-loving public has the opportunity to see Peruvian ceramic works as well as the artistic interference through the hands of two Vietnamese artists on the Peruvian bull statue.

He also expressed his belief that this event will help the Vietnamese people better understand the spiritual and aesthetic values of the Peruvian people.

The Pucará Bull is a cultural and ancestral expression of the Puno region, as well as one of the most popular art pieces in Peruvian craftwork. Source: Peruvian embassy in Vietnam/FB

As one of two Vietnamese artists participating in creating statues at this exhibition, Le Huy shares the meaning of his works, "We represent the bull using traditional Vietnamese lacquer, a stylized adaptation of the pattern of clouds and dragons on the stone steps of Kinh Thien Palace - Thang Long Imperial Citadel, motifs on Dong Son bronze drums and lotus images in ancient art.

Through these bulls, they want to introduce the country and people of Vietnam and convey the common spirit of Vietnam and Peru - two cultures rich in tradition, peace-loving, friendly, open, preserve, and develop traditional values.

Talking about the experience in this event, Bui Van Nghi, head of the Americas Department, Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, emphasized activities such as this exhibition will strengthen the friendship between the two countries, especially promoting people-to-people diplomatic relations.

Organizing similar activities in Vietnam as well as Brazil and Peru will greatly enhance the development of two-way tourism between the countries, Nghi added.

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