Vietnamese Cultural Space Opens for South African Public

The Vietnamese cultural space in South Africa opened the series of "Vietnam Day” events abroad, in 2023 and was the first time this cultural diplomacy activity came to Africa, TG&VN reported.

The 2023 Vietnam Day in South Africa, which took place in Pretoria, South Africa, on September 14-15, highlighted the image of Vietnam as rich in identity and full of vitality, attracting a large number of South African people to visit and experience.

Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan at an inauguration ceremony of the Vietnamese Cultural Space in South Africa. Photo: Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO

The Vietnamese cultural space in South Africa opened the series of "Vietnam Day” events abroad, in 2023 and was the first time this cultural diplomacy activity came to Africa. Vietnam Cultural Space will be held in France and Japan, in October and November.

The event, with the message of “Origins, Vitality, and Continuity”, was held on the occasion of the official visit to South Africa by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, from September 14-17.

Vice President Xuan cut the ribbon at an inauguration ceremony of the Vietnamese Cultural Space in South Africa and attended a ceremony to mark the 78th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day and the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and South Africa.

Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Hoang Huu Anh introduced to viewers the photo exhibition showcasing vivid images of the country’s natural and cultural heritages that have been granted UNESCO recognition. Photo: Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO

If “Origins” is an introduction to international friends, “Vitality” is an explanation for today’s Vietnam full of energy, dynamism, and friendliness, and “Continuity” is the conclusion that the cultural space wants viewers to imagine Vietnam's future, through the way the young generation deals with traditional values.

At the event, the message of “Origins” was expressed through world cultural heritage sites in Vietnam recognized by UNESCO, in the photo series themed “Vietnam’s Vitality” with traditional festivals and life activities, imbued with the identity of a wet rice civilization, or in Dong Ho folk paintings.

Visitors learn how to create Vietnamese Dong Ho folk paintings. Photo: Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO

Artisan shows children attending the “Vietnam Days Abroad” in South Africa, how to make lacquerware. Photo: Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO

The theme of “Vitality” was expressed through the photo exhibition “Vietnam’s Vitality”, introducing a beautiful and modern country with happy and optimistic people. The vitality of Vietnam today was also recreated through large-scale lacquer paintings depicting the scenery of Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi) in four seasons, by artist Tran Anh Tuan, and interactive and experiential activities.

It is impossible not to mention the “Continuity” of traditional cultural values of Vietnam that have been accepted, honored, and spread by young people. The exhibition featured royal costumes of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) by young people and the performance of artisans from Dong Ho and Xuan La craft villages, who are following their ancestors to preserve traditional values, which drew the great attention of viewers.

Alongside lacquer, visitors can also enjoy another interactive activity – to learn how to create Dong Ho folk paintings. An artisan showed the guests how to use woodblocks to create a painting on poonah paper.

Guests try on the royal costumes of the Nguyen Dynasty. Photo: Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO

The experience of dressing in Vietnamese ancient costumes, taking photos, and making ‘to he’ (toy figurines made from glutinous rice powder), was also highly appreciated. Guests can use ingredients from sticky rice mixed with food coloring to shape animals of their choice and take them home as souvenirs.

“Vietnam Days Abroad” is a national promotional event that the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to host annually since 2010. The event has been receiving enthusiastic participation from Vietnamese localities, enterprises, organizations, international communities, and overseas Vietnamese communities.

Following the “Vietnam Days Abroad” in South Africa, similar events will be held in France and Japan in November and December.

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