Making Mid-Autumn traditional toys with artisans

(VNF) - The Hanoi 1010 Cultural Exchange Space and MyHanoi will organise a workshop on Vietnamese Mid-Autumn traditional toys on September 9^th, which not only provide a glimpse of this upcoming festival’s culture but also give attendants a change to make your own toys under the guidance of artisans.

Star-shaped lanterns (đèn ông sao).

With the rapid development of society, the toy market for children on Mid-Autumn season has also changed drastically. The majority of the toys currently on sale have been imported from foreign countries, while the traditional ones – once were so dear to many generations – are slowly disappearing.

However, at several little corners of Hanoi, some artisans still work day and night to handmade unique traditional toys such as paper masks (mặt nạ giấy bồi), paper doctors (tiến sĩ giấy), tin boats (tàu thủy sắt tây), star-shaped lanterns (đèn ông sao), lion heads (đầu lân sư tử)...to preserve Vietnamese ancient craft in the hope that the old-fashioned Mid-Autumn festival’s toys will not be overthrown by the imported ones, and that the festival’s spirit from the previous generations will be preserved.

With that in mind, this event will help you understand more about the beloved traditional Mid-autumn festival’s toys.

The event will start from 8:30 am to 5 pm at the Hanoi 1010 Cultural Exchange Space (32 Vong Thi street, Buoi Ward, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi).

The workshop on Vietnamese Mid-Autumn traditional toys held by MyHanoi will provide you priceless experience of making your own lanterns and paper masks under the guidance of two guest artisans.

A workshop introducing the Mid-Autumn festival’s lanterns, the legend of “paper professor” from artisans will be held from 9:40 am to 10 am. The event also includes a talk with artisans about the art of making paper masks at 3:10 pm.

After each session, participants can get hands-on experience of making your own lanterns and paper masks under the guidance of two guest artisans - Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyen and Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa.

The event is free of charge, but tickets are required to participate in the workshops (fees include materials’ cost and allowance for the artisans)./.

VNF