Vietnamese children in search of identity

Exhibition viewers use yarn rolls to connect different generations in the same family - Photo: MINH KHOI

The exhibition has a name that evokes a sense of ambiguity in the viewer: Non Dénommée (roughly translated: Untitled ).

This ambiguity comes from the interest of young French people in understanding their Indochinese origins. However, their connection with their ancestors has been lost over the years, forcing them to gradually rediscover their history from the mementos left by their ancestors.

French-Vietnamese artist Tanguy Sévat-Denuet spent time talking to about four such families, descendants of Franco-Indochinese couples, many of whom now live on the French island of Réunion.

Coming to the exhibition, viewers will be surprised to see many different portraits in front of them. Each person will be given a roll of yarn, then connect the faces representing four or five generations in a family.

The movements of the memorabilia symbolize the movements of Indochinese women during the French colonial period. The song La Petite Tonkinoise (Little Tonkinese Girl) echoes in the air - Photo: MINH KHOI

Continuing to follow these families, viewers come to a moving installation of memorabilia.

These are the items that the people of Indochina brought with them when they came to France, now becoming tangible evidence of a culture or identity that has gradually faded away in France today.

Next, following the stairs, viewers follow the bustling voices coming from the rooms. The upper floor of the exhibition has 4 rooms, where viewers can join in the joy, laughter and thoughts of generations of French-Vietnamese people when they meet together.

Artist Tanguy Sévat-Denuet comes from the island of Réunion, which was the place of exile for two Nguyen Dynasty kings, Thanh Thai and Duy Tan.

Besides, Réunion was also the gathering place for hundreds of Vietnamese, including patriots who were sentenced by French colonialists. They were brought to the island to work on sugarcane plantations.

Over the years, the fourth and fifth generations of Vietnamese in Réunion have lost most of their connections with their ancestors from French colonial Indochina.

A Frenchman attentively follows the story of 1 of the 4 families - Photo: MINH KHOI

Sharing with Tuoi Tre Online , Tanguy Sévat-Denuet said that for nearly 2 years now, finding one's roots has been a hot topic in France. In the past, in order to integrate, the people of Indochina were all called Chinois/Chinoise (French - meaning Chinese).

Now many of them claim that they are not Chinese, but boldly seek their Vietnamese origins.

Tanguy's exhibition is the beginning of a journey to find the identity of these generations, opening from June 25 to 30 at the Southern Women's Museum (HCMC).

This installation art exhibition is the result of a research process that took place over a year in Réunion Island and then in Ho Chi Minh City. The project is part of the artist-in-residence program of Villa Saigon - French Institute in Ho Chi Minh City.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhung-nguoi-con-goc-viet-di-tim-danh-tinh-20240626092742366.htm