Though many people don't understand what the Arabic words mean, they canstill find the Arabic calligraphy in a new Hanoi University ofLanguages and International Studies (ULIS) exhibition beautiful.
Thefirst ever exhibition of Arabic calligraphy in Vietnam opens onDecember 18 in Hanoi. It commemorates World Arabic Language Day onDecember 18, established by UNESCO in 2012 to highlight Arabic'simportance as of the UN's official languages.
Presented by theEgyptian Embassy and ULIS, the exhibition would help enhance culturalexchange, and mutual understanding between Vietnam and Egypt, saidAmbassador Youssef K Hanna. It would also promote Arabic teaching at theuniversity.
Nguyen Thu Lan, one of about 60 students learningArabic at ULIS, said she finds the exhibition beautiful and interesting,despite not knowing all the words.
"I have been learning Arabicfor a short time and don't know every word, but I understand that mostof the calligraphic works express tribute and respect to Allah," shesaid.
"The artworks look like wonderful paintings, as thecalligraphers combine writings with fine arts. They decorate thewritings with patterns of natural elements and colourful drawings."
Arabiccalligraphy is the artistic practice of handwriting, based on theArabic language and alphabet and originating in lands sharing a commonIslamic and Arabic cultural heritage.
"It is known in Arabic as‘khatt', which is derived from the word ‘line', ‘design' or‘construction'," Hanna said. "The Arabic calligrapher's traditionalinstrument is the ‘qalam', a pen made of dried reed or bamboo. The inkis often coloured, and its intensity can vary greatly, so the greaterstrokes of the compositions can be very dynamic."
Religious significance
Most works of Arabic calligraphy have religious significance based on verses from the Qu'ran – the Muslim holy book.
So these works are usually used at home and worship places for obtaining blessings, as well as for decorating purposes.
Theyalso include words about wisdom, luck and happiness, and the Egyptiansuse this kind of art at their homes or stores to bring in peace andprosperity.
The exhibition showcases 24 artworks by Egyptiancalligraphers Mostafa Khoder, Ahmed Abdel Baset, Hamdy Zayed, andMohamed Youssef Elmaghraby.
Elmaghraby is one of the mostrenowned calligraphers in Egypt, having participated in many local andinternational exhibitions. He also teaches Arabic calligraphy in variousschools and universities.
"It's wonderful that I have the chanceto introduce the beauty and value of Arabic calligraphy to Vietnam,where Arabic is not a popular language and very few people learn it,"Elmaghraby said.
"I expect that the exhibition will helpincrease awareness about the importance of learning Arabic, for furthermutual understanding of cultural heritage between Vietnam and Arabcountries. I believe the easiest way to understand a nation is to learnits language."
The exhibition will run in two days at ULIS, 144 Xuan Thuy street, Hanoi.-VNA
Thefirst ever exhibition of Arabic calligraphy in Vietnam opens onDecember 18 in Hanoi. It commemorates World Arabic Language Day onDecember 18, established by UNESCO in 2012 to highlight Arabic'simportance as of the UN's official languages.
Presented by theEgyptian Embassy and ULIS, the exhibition would help enhance culturalexchange, and mutual understanding between Vietnam and Egypt, saidAmbassador Youssef K Hanna. It would also promote Arabic teaching at theuniversity.
Nguyen Thu Lan, one of about 60 students learningArabic at ULIS, said she finds the exhibition beautiful and interesting,despite not knowing all the words.
"I have been learning Arabicfor a short time and don't know every word, but I understand that mostof the calligraphic works express tribute and respect to Allah," shesaid.
"The artworks look like wonderful paintings, as thecalligraphers combine writings with fine arts. They decorate thewritings with patterns of natural elements and colourful drawings."
Arabiccalligraphy is the artistic practice of handwriting, based on theArabic language and alphabet and originating in lands sharing a commonIslamic and Arabic cultural heritage.
"It is known in Arabic as‘khatt', which is derived from the word ‘line', ‘design' or‘construction'," Hanna said. "The Arabic calligrapher's traditionalinstrument is the ‘qalam', a pen made of dried reed or bamboo. The inkis often coloured, and its intensity can vary greatly, so the greaterstrokes of the compositions can be very dynamic."
Religious significance
Most works of Arabic calligraphy have religious significance based on verses from the Qu'ran – the Muslim holy book.
So these works are usually used at home and worship places for obtaining blessings, as well as for decorating purposes.
Theyalso include words about wisdom, luck and happiness, and the Egyptiansuse this kind of art at their homes or stores to bring in peace andprosperity.
The exhibition showcases 24 artworks by Egyptiancalligraphers Mostafa Khoder, Ahmed Abdel Baset, Hamdy Zayed, andMohamed Youssef Elmaghraby.
Elmaghraby is one of the mostrenowned calligraphers in Egypt, having participated in many local andinternational exhibitions. He also teaches Arabic calligraphy in variousschools and universities.
"It's wonderful that I have the chanceto introduce the beauty and value of Arabic calligraphy to Vietnam,where Arabic is not a popular language and very few people learn it,"Elmaghraby said.
"I expect that the exhibition will helpincrease awareness about the importance of learning Arabic, for furthermutual understanding of cultural heritage between Vietnam and Arabcountries. I believe the easiest way to understand a nation is to learnits language."
The exhibition will run in two days at ULIS, 144 Xuan Thuy street, Hanoi.-VNA
