Photos and videos of dragon and fairy engravings on pillars and woodenwalls of Vietnamese communal temples from the 16th century to the early19th century are being shown as part of an exhibit at the Ho Chi MinhCity Fine Arts Museum.
The exhibition, organised by the VietnamUniversity of Fine Arts and the museum, includes 102 photos featuringthe architecture and engravings of more than 40 temples in northernVietnam.
Five short documentaries and a 3D film on topics related to the northern communal temples are also part of the exhibit.
"It'sa good chance for city residents to know more about the traditionalculture of the countryside in this region where few people can visit,"said Ma Thanh Cao, the museum's director.
University experts andprofessors collected the photos and videos during a two-year researchproject on the values and cultural heritage of communal temples.
Theyvisited hundreds of temples in many northern provinces, including ThaiBinh, Quang Ninh, Phu Tho and Bac Ninh, and in Hanoi.
Le VanSuu, the university's headmaster, said: "Communal temples were placesfor community activities, ranging from administrative work toentertainment, and played an important role in people's life. However,in modern society, their original functions have disappeared."
Dragonsand fairies symbolising the nation's legendary father Lac Long Quan andmother Au Co can be found in most of the temples.
"They symbolise the country's solidarity," he said.
Theexhibition, held at the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Paris in September2012, was warmly received by visitors and overseas Vietnamese.
The exhibition at the Fine Arts Museum at 97A Pho Duc Chinh street in District 1 will end on June 23.-VNA
The exhibition, organised by the VietnamUniversity of Fine Arts and the museum, includes 102 photos featuringthe architecture and engravings of more than 40 temples in northernVietnam.
Five short documentaries and a 3D film on topics related to the northern communal temples are also part of the exhibit.
"It'sa good chance for city residents to know more about the traditionalculture of the countryside in this region where few people can visit,"said Ma Thanh Cao, the museum's director.
University experts andprofessors collected the photos and videos during a two-year researchproject on the values and cultural heritage of communal temples.
Theyvisited hundreds of temples in many northern provinces, including ThaiBinh, Quang Ninh, Phu Tho and Bac Ninh, and in Hanoi.
Le VanSuu, the university's headmaster, said: "Communal temples were placesfor community activities, ranging from administrative work toentertainment, and played an important role in people's life. However,in modern society, their original functions have disappeared."
Dragonsand fairies symbolising the nation's legendary father Lac Long Quan andmother Au Co can be found in most of the temples.
"They symbolise the country's solidarity," he said.
Theexhibition, held at the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Paris in September2012, was warmly received by visitors and overseas Vietnamese.
The exhibition at the Fine Arts Museum at 97A Pho Duc Chinh street in District 1 will end on June 23.-VNA
