Bringing the quintessence of Kinh Bac heritage to the French public

Introducing and experiencing making Dong Ho paintings with the audience. (Photo: Nguyen Thu Ha/VNA)

According to a VNA reporter in France, on the evening of April 7, Bac Ninh province coordinated with the Vietnam Cultural Center in France to organize the "Vietnamese Cultural Night - Quintessence of Kinh Bac Heritage" to introduce to international friends and the Vietnamese community in France Dong Ho folk paintings and Quan Ho folk songs, typical heritages that make up the cultural soul of Kinh Bac land.

The event has special significance as it takes place in the context of the Vietnamese Government proposing the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to include Dong Ho folk painting in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, which is expected to be reviewed in December 2025 in India.

From 5:30 p.m., the reception area at the Vietnam Cultural Center lobby was elaborately decorated with artisans and artists from Bac Ninh province in traditional four-panel costumes, non quai thao (conical hat), and turbans to welcome guests.

Many Bac Ninh heritage paintings were displayed around, creating a visual highlight right from the beginning of the event. In particular, guests had the opportunity to directly experience the craft of making Dong Ho folk paintings, writing calligraphy and making figurines under the guidance of artisans.

Bac Ninh artisan introduces calligraphy. (Photo: Nguyen Thu Ha/VNA)

A souvenir photo corner is also arranged so that guests can take photos with artisans and artists against the realistic space of Bac Ninh Quan Ho.

Speaking to VNA reporters in France, Mr. Le Xuan Loi, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province, said that the province has invited folk painting artisans, quan ho singers, along with managers and cultural officials to the capital Paris to promote Dong Ho folk painting to international friends, especially to lobby UNESCO to recognize Dong Ho painting as a folk craft in need of urgent protection.

He also said that the province has been preparing since 2019, building the Dong Ho Folk Painting Conservation Center in Song Ho Commune, Thuan Thanh Town, Bac Ninh Province and carefully preparing the content of the dossier to submit to UNESCO, with the hope that this organization will consider and recognize the Dong Ho folk painting profession as a profession in need of urgent protection.

At the Dong Ho painting exhibition corner, Mr. Nguyen Dang Tam, a 21st generation artisan in a family with a long tradition of this profession, enthusiastically introduced to the public the materials and wooden molds, and also instructed on the painting printing techniques.

Artisan Nguyen Dang Tam introduces materials and wooden molds to the public, and gives instructions on painting printing techniques. (Photo: Nguyen Thu Ha/VNA)

Sharing about the unique features of this folk craft, Mr. Nguyen Dang Tam said: "The most special feature of Dong Ho is the color. The color of Dong Ho paintings is 5 basic colors and those 5 colors are all natural colors. The way to make Dong Ho paintings, printed on woodblocks, also known as woodblocks, the number of colors in the painting is the same as the number of woodblocks, and at the same time, the same amount of ink."

Mr. Tam also said that his family has collected about 200 paintings of various types, most of which are ancient paintings, printed and engraved before 1945.

"The images of Dong Ho paintings are very familiar and close to the people of the Northern Delta. These paintings are Tet paintings, to hang for decoration, to educate, to teach children," he added.

Having directly experienced the work of printing paintings under the guidance of the artisan, Ms. Tran Ngoc Thao, a Vietnamese expatriate in France, shared her joy and honor at having the opportunity to learn more about Dong Ho painting culture that she had "heard and studied, but never seen in reality."

Bac Ninh artisan introduces clay figurine making craft. (Photo: Thu Ha/VNA)

"Coming here, I realized that Vietnamese culture is extremely rich. I think promoting and preserving culture for the generation of Vietnamese people living and growing up here is extremely necessary," Ms. Thao confided.

Ms. Anoa Suzzanne Dussol Perran, Vietnam Tourism Ambassador to France, also expressed her strong support: "Dong Ho painting is a long-standing traditional art, which is a profound cultural identity of our country. It is necessary to truly highlight the unique features of this art form so that UNESCO will pay attention and recognize it."

Ms. Perran said that as Vietnam Tourism Ambassador in France, she wishes to participate in promoting local products to the public.

"I am truly honored and delighted to welcome the provinces of Vietnam to Paris, to the Vietnam Cultural Center, to present their programs and their quintessence," Ms. Perran shared.

Quan Ho Bac Ninh folk song performance. (Photo: Nguyen Thu Ha/VNA)

Not only experiencing Dong Ho painting, making to he figurines or writing calligraphy, coming to "Vietnamese Cultural Night - Quintessence of Kinh Bac Heritage," overseas Vietnamese and French friends can also immerse themselves in Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs.

Officially opening with the performance "Inviting water - inviting betel," a beautiful feature in the welcoming culture of Kinh Bac people, the art performances continued with many unique Quan Ho melodies such as "Vui bo mua," "Qua cau non - Tra man hao," solo performance of the "Bau Se chi thong kim" zither, singing "Co be thuong ngan" and finally the melody "Gia ban."

Each performance is a unique color of Quan Ho art, from traditional unaccompanied singing to modern, elaborately staged performances.

The highlight of the program is the video introduction about "Dong Ho folk painting craft" combined with direct experience with the artisans. The audience is invited to the stage to print the paintings under the guidance of the artisans, creating a vibrant cultural exchange atmosphere.

Introducing and experiencing making Dong Ho paintings with the audience. (Photo: Nguyen Thu Ha/VNA)

In his speech at the event, Mr. Trinh Huu Hung, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh, expressed his pride in the ancient land of Bac Ninh, a place with a long-standing historical and cultural tradition, a place where very dense cultural heritage treasures converge, and is the homeland of festivals and rich and unique forms of folk cultural and artistic activities typical of the Vietnamese people, such as: Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs, Dong Ho folk painting craft.

He emphasized: "Through this program, we hope to always receive the attention and support of diplomatic missions, international organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in connecting, spreading, and promoting the image and traditional cultural values ​​of Bac Ninh province to every land and every person in the world."

For his part, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang also affirmed that culture plays a key role in building bridges between countries and peoples and that cultural exchange activities will help enhance mutual understanding, build trust and respect, thereby creating a solid foundation for cooperation in other fields.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang delivers the opening speech at the "Vietnamese Cultural Night - Quintessence of Kinh Bac Heritage." (Photo: Nguyen Thu Ha/VNA)

The Ambassador emphasized: "I believe that the Vietnamese Cultural Night - Quintessence of Kinh Bac Heritage is an event of special significance in promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and France. We not only introduce to French friends the unique cultural beauty of Kinh Bac, but also have the great contribution of the Vietnamese community in France, who always carry in their hearts the love for their homeland and the desire to promote Vietnamese culture to the world. This event opens up opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism, education and economy, contributing to further deepening the special relationship between the two countries."

The program ended, each guest left with a Dong Ho painting and the echoes of Quan Ho folk songs, gifts bearing the mark of folk culture.

"Vietnamese Cultural Night - Quintessence of Kinh Bac Heritage" is not only a simple cultural and artistic event but also a mission to promote and preserve the quintessential values ​​of the nation, a cultural bridge, helping to spread the beauty of Kinh Bac heritage to overseas Vietnamese and French friends./.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/mang-tinh-hoa-di-san-kinh-bac-den-voi-cong-chung-phap-post1026470.vnp