RoK, Poland assist Hue music and stele restoration

The South Korean Centre for Traditional Performing Art Research will provide financial and technical assistance to Hue Imperial Relics Preservation Centre to produce percussion instruments of Nha Nhac (Royal Court Music).
The sets of Bien Khanh (gongs) and Bien Chung (brass bells), are expected to be completed by the end of 2010 and put into trial performances on the occasion of the Xa Tac Ceremony, to be held by early 2011, and also the Nam Giao Ceremony during Hue Festival 2012.
RoK experts will also transfer production techniques to Hue Imperial Relics Preservation Centre.
Bien Chung and Bien Khanh percussion instruments were used in the Hue royal orchestra under the Nguyen dynasty, but techniques for making them have been lost since early the 20th century. However, the instruments are still preserved in the RoK.
At the same time, Poland will provide nearly $20,000 to preserve a stele engraved with King Tu Duc’s teachings that sits in front of the old national university in Hue City.
This agreement was recently signed by the Polish Embassy and Hue Imperial Relics Preservation Centre, which will provide the rest of the funds needed.
Hue National University was founded in August 1803 under the reign of King Gia Long. The original university was located 5km west of Hue City and was considered one of the 20 most renowned beauty spots in the former capital.
During a visit to the university in 1854, King Tu Duc composed two works, including a poem, to encourage students to focus on education. The poem was later engraved on a big stele erected on the university’s campus.
In 1908 under the reign of King Duy Tan, the university was relocated to the inner city and the stele was moved in front of the university’s new gate. Over the years the stele has suffered from serious damage.
Polish Ambassador Roman Iwaszjiewics remarked that the donation to the stele’s upgrade is the beginning of a cooperative program between the Thua Thien-Hue province and its Polish partners. He added that it will also help larger bilateral projects, not only in culture, but also in other areas in which Poland excels, such as mining, agriculture, shipbuilding, education and tourism.
Poland is a world leader in conservation and restoration of historic sites. Since the late 20th century, the country has helped Vietnam, especially Hue, to conserve many major historical sites such as The Mieu - a temple dedicated to the Nguyen Kings in Hue, and the ancient My Son towers in Quang Nam province.
Hue and My Son have both been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as world cultural heritage sites.