Opening of the Exhibition on Ceramic Art “Azulejo Portugal”

HANU - In Portugal, a particularly impressive cultural feature in architecture and urban design is the intricately patterned ceramic tiles called Azulejo. The name “Azulejo” comes from Greek, meaning “small polished stone”. Initially, Azulejo ceramic tiles were painted with simple artistic patterns in neutral colors. Nowadays, Azulejo tiles are decorated with elaborate patterns and more vibrant colors such as yellow, green, red, orange, etc. Azulejo is more than 500 years old and has become a traditional artistic element in Portugal, appearing everywhere such as churches, houses, public benches, fountains, etc.

Within the framework “Portuguese Cultural Week 2023”, on the afternoon of May 4, 2023, at the 5th floor lobby, Building C, Hanoi University, the opening ceremony of the Ceramic Art Exhibition “Azulejo Portugal” – Timeless stories from blue ceramic pieces took place. Attending the program were Mr. Leonardo Pene – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Mozambique to Vietnam, Ms. Elda Maria Alvarez – Counselor of the Federal Republic of Brazil in Vietnam, Mr. Felix Sapolo – Second Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Angola in Vietnam, Mr. Gregorio Neno Abi –Education Attaché of the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste in Vietnam, writer and poet Abreu Paxe. On the side of Hanoi University, there were Vice President Luong Ngoc Minh, teachers who are leaders representing departments, faculties, divisions, units in the whole University and teachers and students of the Portuguese Language Department.

Speaking at the opening of the Exhibition, Mr. Pedro Sebastião - Coordinator of the Camões Portuguese Language Center at Hanoi University shared: The exhibition program was designed by the National Museum of Azulejo in collaboration with the Camões Institute. The exhibition was organized to promote Azulejo - one of the most precious items in the Portuguese heritage treasure. Through the exhibition, viewers can visualize a long journey through space and time that created the shape of Portugal when traditional Azulejo was upgraded in terms of technique, color, shape, theme, and application, becoming an indelible mark in Portuguese culture. Azulejo connects with the contemporary world in a special way, giving those who enjoy this art form rich and different feelings.

The “Portuguese Azulejo” Ceramics Exhibition will take place from May 4 to 17, 2023 at the 5th floor lobby, Building C, Hanoi University. At the same time, in the afternoon of the same day, there will also be a program “Learning Angolan Literature with writer and poet Abreu Paxe” and a screening of Brazilian movies.

Portuguese is the 6th most spoken language in the world, the 3rd most spoken in the Western Hemisphere and the most spoken in the Southern Hemisphere. At the 40th session of the General Assembly, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared May 5 as World Portuguese Language Day.

Below are some photos at the event: