Dong Ho folk painting artisans in the Song Ho village of Thuan Thanhdistrict, the northern province of Bac Ninh are increasingly busy duringthe days immediately preceding the Lunar New Year (Tet), as more andmore people have become fascinated by this centuries-old art form.
Dong Ho folk painting uses woodcut prints depicting the dailyactivities and religious practices of farmers in the Red River Delta.
Popular works titled “Playing theflute”, “Farmer and Water Buffalo”, “Catching coconuts”, “Jealousy” and“Mice Wedding” reflect the artists’ and local inhabitants’ aspirationsfor happy, peaceful and prosperous lives. Modern themes, includingrevolution and national sea and island sovereignty have also caught onin recent years.
Traditionally, craftsmenused raw materials from nature, making sheets of paper from the bark ofthe “do” (poonah) tree and mixing colours using soil, burnt bambooleaves, and sea shells.
According to NguyenNhu Dieu, Chairman of the Song Ho People’s Commune where Dong Hopainting originated, only three local families had previously maintainedthe craft, but its popularity revival has incited stronger engagementof more villagers.
In the workshop of Nguyen DangChe, a 20th generation local artisan, seven craftsmen were rushing tocomplete their Tet orders.
According to Che, Dong Hopaintings were previously sold on only six market days during Tet, butnow, demand for the paintings is high throughout the year and surgesduring Tet.
Each day his workshop welcomes dozens of visitors and customers, he said.
The most popular painting this year in his shop, “Honour and Wealth”,signifies hopes of prosperity, happiness and longevity.
He revealed that his family possesses thousands of copies of 200 different paintings to meet Tet demands.
Calendars with Dong Ho paintings on them are also in vogue, said Che,adding that since October of last year he has sold thousands of thecalendars.
Che has also engaged in a 60 billion VND(2.86 million USD) project to preserve and uphold the cultural heritagevalue of this art form, recently approved by the provincial People’sCommittee. The project will run from 2014 to 2016.
The sounds of Dong Ho painting clatter in Song Ho village throughoutthe year now, signalling a strong revival of the traditional craftvillage.
Bac Ninh is compiling a dossier seeking forthe UNESCO’s recognition of the genre as part of the intangible culturalheritage in need of urgent protection.-VNA
Dong Ho folk painting uses woodcut prints depicting the dailyactivities and religious practices of farmers in the Red River Delta.
Popular works titled “Playing theflute”, “Farmer and Water Buffalo”, “Catching coconuts”, “Jealousy” and“Mice Wedding” reflect the artists’ and local inhabitants’ aspirationsfor happy, peaceful and prosperous lives. Modern themes, includingrevolution and national sea and island sovereignty have also caught onin recent years.
Traditionally, craftsmenused raw materials from nature, making sheets of paper from the bark ofthe “do” (poonah) tree and mixing colours using soil, burnt bambooleaves, and sea shells.
According to NguyenNhu Dieu, Chairman of the Song Ho People’s Commune where Dong Hopainting originated, only three local families had previously maintainedthe craft, but its popularity revival has incited stronger engagementof more villagers.
In the workshop of Nguyen DangChe, a 20th generation local artisan, seven craftsmen were rushing tocomplete their Tet orders.
According to Che, Dong Hopaintings were previously sold on only six market days during Tet, butnow, demand for the paintings is high throughout the year and surgesduring Tet.
Each day his workshop welcomes dozens of visitors and customers, he said.
The most popular painting this year in his shop, “Honour and Wealth”,signifies hopes of prosperity, happiness and longevity.
He revealed that his family possesses thousands of copies of 200 different paintings to meet Tet demands.
Calendars with Dong Ho paintings on them are also in vogue, said Che,adding that since October of last year he has sold thousands of thecalendars.
Che has also engaged in a 60 billion VND(2.86 million USD) project to preserve and uphold the cultural heritagevalue of this art form, recently approved by the provincial People’sCommittee. The project will run from 2014 to 2016.
The sounds of Dong Ho painting clatter in Song Ho village throughoutthe year now, signalling a strong revival of the traditional craftvillage.
Bac Ninh is compiling a dossier seeking forthe UNESCO’s recognition of the genre as part of the intangible culturalheritage in need of urgent protection.-VNA
