1,000th anniversary of Hanoi comes nearer, cultural projects rushed to completion

As there are only about three months left to the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, important cultural projects are being accelerated to complete in time for the national celebration, reports the Vietnam News Agency.
Early this month, the 80-ton statue of Thanh Giong at the peak of Da Chong Mountain in Phu Linh Commune, Soc Son District, Hanoi was nearly finished. On an area of 10,000 square meters, workers worked hard to try to fulfill the project at the end of August. Tourist services, including guest houses, small restaurants and auxiliary decorations, are also being developed around the site.
Hanoi Museum, in My Dinh Commune, Tu Liem District, is entering the final phase of construction. Located near the National Convention Center, the museum covers an area of about 54,000 square meters and has an investment of more than VND2.3 trillion.
The museum will have the shape of an upside-down four-storied pyramid built by GMP International GmbH-Inros Lackner AG, a German company. Expected to open on October 9, the museum will display artifacts arranged in three themes. The natural conditions of Hanoi, Thang Long culture in Ly and Tran dynasties and Dai Viet culture will be represented on the first and second floors while the third and the fourth floors will feature artists’ collections.
Another important project that is worth mentioning is the Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural. Work on the decoration of the road is currently conducted by Italian artist Guiseppe Mastropierro and local artists of Tan Ha Noi Arts Company. The ceramic mosaic section highlights the similarities and differences between Vietnamese and Italian cultures through images of sacred objects in the literature and history of the two countries. Vietnamese culture is represented via the image of a big golden-shell turtle, holding a sword in its mouth presenting the legend of Ho Guom (the Sword Lake); One-Pillar Pagoda and Khue Van Cac (Pavilion of Constellation of Literature). Meanwhile, a blue dragon stretching over the Coloseum arena with Leonardo Da Vinci’s portrait and the painting La Jaconde on its body is considered the symbol of Italy.
Early last month, a 65-square-meter ceramic picture of vivid colors and images displaying the typical features of Argentina was unveiled. The picture is set right under the Long Bien bridge pier and stretches 25 meters along the embankment. It depicts the lively colored lines of Tango dances and beautiful sceneries of the tropical country of Argentina.
As a cultural community project that gained much public attention in the past two years, the ceramic road attracts the active participation and enthusiasm of international and local artists who use many kinds of ceramics from famous craft villages, such as Bat Trang, Chu Dau, Binh Duong, Vinh Long and Bau Truc.
The project, running from An Duong border gate to Van Kiep border gate on an area of about 6,500 square meters, includes 21 ceramic mosaic painting sections in diverse themes. The first section honors the art heritage of the Vietnamese’ forefathers through Dong Son Culture to Ly, Tran, Le and Nguyen dynasties. The second section expresses the cultures of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.
The third one, themed “Hanoi-the city for peace”, is carried out by international and local children. Contemporary Vietnamese and international artists will take charge of the work from the fourth to the ninth sections.
Journalist Nguyen Thu Thuy who initiated the project said “Ninety percent of the project has been completed. These days, artists, sculptors, fine arts students and artisans are putting in great effort to finish the final sections. After the completion date on September 15, the organizing board will submit documents to register the “Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural” as the longest ceramic road in the world for the Guinness World Records.
Project “Thang Long bookcase” has debuted over 20 book titles in relation to the national celebration. Started six years ago, the project has attracted 300 scientists and experts in many fields. About 100 book titles in geography, fine arts and literature, history, social culture and general documentation will debut in October. Though the books, readers will gain an insight into every aspect of Thang Long-Hanoi during its 1,000-year history. The project will serve as the foundation for future research on Hanoi.