Moscow (VNA) – Madam Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam, visited the V.I. Surikov Moscow State Academy Art Institute and the S.A. Gerasimov All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) as part of the Party leader’s official visit to Russia.
At the institute, Ly toured a painting exhibition featuring works by Vietnamese and Russian artists, engaged with painters from both countries, and visited the personal studio of the university’s rector.
Rector Anotoly Lyubanvin described the institute as one of Russia’s premier art schools. Established in 1843 as the successor to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, the institute is renowned for training generations of artists and art scholars in fields such as painting, graphic design, sculpture, architecture, fine arts, and art history.
In her remarks, Ly highlighted the institute’s role not only in shaping Russian art talent but also in nurturing generations of Vietnamese artists. She recalled the legacy of renowned Vietnamese painters such as Tran Luu Hau—a prominent figure of wartime Vietnamese art and a mentor to many leading modern Vietnamese artists—as well as Phung Quoc Tri, Dao Chau Hai, Nguyen Quang Vinh, and Nguyen Phuoc Sanh, all of whom studied at and thrived from the institution.
Madam Ly and Rector Lyubanvin also visited an exhibition showcasing artworks by Vietnamese and Russian painters. The exhibition provided insights into each nation’s artistic styles and the beauty of their landscapes and people. Notably, Vietnamese paintings depicting Russia—the "Land of the Birch Tree"— symbolised the deep cultural resonance and emotional connection between the two countries.
During her visit to VGIK, Rector Vladimir Malyshev introduced the university, its departments, and a special painting exhibition featuring works by her father - late artist Ngo Manh Lan and VGIK faculty members. He also guided Ly through the Department of Graphic Arts and Artificial Intelligence. Established in 1919, VGIK is regarded as the world’s first film school and remains a prestigious institution for film education.
In recognition of VGIK's longstanding contributions to training generations of film professionals and strengthening Vietnam–Russia friendship, the Vietnamese President awarded the university the Friendship Order in 2009.
Ly expressed her deep emotion upon visiting the historic and influential institution, which holds a special place in the history of cinema, noting that many celebrated Vietnamese filmmakers, such as Bui Dinh Hac, Nguyen Khac Loi, and Nguyen Thi Hong Ngat, also graduated from VGIK. Their works have left enduring marks on Vietnamese revolutionary cinema and have become part of the nation’s treasured cultural heritage.
Rector Malyshev expressed his hope that Vietnam and Russia would soon resume joint film production projects and that more Vietnamese students would enroll at VGIK to pursue their artistic aspirations. Such collaboration, he said, would foster deeper exchanges, shared creativity, and stronger cultural ties between the two countries./.
