Baoquocte.vn. With a deep love for Hanoi, photographers Le Bich and Andy Soloman have recorded the indelible marks of the capital for more than two decades.
Their works have become invaluable assets, introduced through the photo exhibition "Hanoi - A Time to Remember" - one of the activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024) organized by the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District, the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter.
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| The exhibition is open to the public and visitors free of charge until October 31. (Photo: Quynh Anh) |
Introducing works taken from 1992-2012 about Hanoi published for the first time by photographer Le Bich and British reporter Andy Soloman, the exhibition records the lives of Hanoians during the renovation period, when the city underwent major economic and social changes.
Colorful footage
"Hanoi - A Time to Remember" is a colorful film through black and white photos, capturing moments of the Capital during the 20 years since the early years of the renovation period.
Displayed at an old French villa (49 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi), 86 black and white photos by the two authors are arranged alternately. Through the years with many changes, Hanoi still retains its ancient beauty but never becomes old, those typical quintessential features will live forever with time.
The exhibition not only recalls old memories of Hanoi for the older generation, but also provides a new perspective for the younger generation about Hanoi. Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Lan - Deputy Head of the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter, said that the exhibition is very special and part of the series of activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital.
Here, the two authors, guests and characters in the photos shared stories and memories about a memorable time in Hanoi.
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| Photographer Le Bich. (Photo: Quynh Anh) |
Photographer Le Bich, a native of Hanoi, has witnessed the city's transformation over the course of the capital's rapid development. He shared: "Hanoi has changed a lot, but I do not allow myself to forget the old beauty and quintessence of Hanoi."
When looking back at the photo taken at Nguyen Du Primary School in 1992, former students of the school could not help but recall their precious memories.
Some of them still keep in touch, talk and meet regularly, but there are also those who have not contacted each other since graduation. Everyone was very surprised when looking back at the pictures of their childhood in the early 90s - when they were only 10 years old.
Their costumes at that time were simple and plain uniforms that blended with the rustic scenery of the old school. Those images reminded of the difficult but also joyful life of children growing up in the renovation period.
Ms. Phong Lan, one of the visitors to the exhibition, said that what the works convey most accurately are the faces of the people of old Hanoi.
According to her, the faces of the past were very typical. Because if compared to now when economic conditions are better and there is more communication, the facial features of Hanoians now are different from before.
Expressing her feelings about the personal photo taken by author Andy Soloman, Ms. Ngoc Lan - an editor working at Vietnam Television in 1993, shared: "At that time, I was just over 30 years old.
Now, looking back at the images of old Hanoi preserved by a foreigner is truly a precious thing. Thank you for bringing us such great happiness."
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| The photo was taken at Nguyen Du Primary School in 1992. (Photo: Quynh Anh) |
The immutable
Photographer Andy Soloman fell in love with Hanoi when he first visited the city in October 1992. He lived and worked in the capital for seven years and returned frequently in the years that followed.
Sharing more about the process of taking the photos, Andy said: “When I went out on the street, I raised my camera and took pictures of the people here.
They were people who did not know me at all, but they welcomed me very warmly, even invited me to their home and talked. These things can only be done when there is trust between people.
Recently, when he was passing Dien Bien Phu Street and saw a woman in her 70s dancing alone, he stopped and asked to take a photo. The woman happily agreed, posed for him in her best way, and even invited him to dance with her.
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| Photographer Andy Soloman. (Photo: Quynh Anh) |
Andy confided: “The city may have changed over a long period of time, but the people of Hanoi remain the same, still warm and hospitable!”
With this exhibition, what makes him happiest is meeting and hearing stories and memories from the people who appeared in the photos.
Those conversations not only brought inspiration but also strong motivation for him to continue composing and recording new marks of Hanoi in the future.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ha-noi-dang-nho-duoi-ong-kinh-cua-nhiep-anh-gia-anh-va-viet-nam-291090.html
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