The quintessence of Vietnamese culture shines at UNESCO headquarters in Paris

UNESCO leaders and many international friends from Delegations of various countries attended the event.

The program was jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province and the Vietnamese Delegation to UNESCO on the sidelines of the 221st session of the UNESCO Executive Board.

The event not only introduces to international friends the unique beauty of typical Kinh Bac cultural heritages such as Quan Ho folk songs and Dong Ho folk paintings, but also affirms Vietnam's active and proactive role in preserving and promoting cultural values.

The program was attended by President of the UNESCO General Conference Simona-Mirela Miculescu, Deputy Director-General Xing Qu, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Lidia Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General forEducation Giannini Stefania, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Information Jelassi Mohamed, along with many Ambassadors, Heads of Delegations of UNESCO member states, experts and international friends.

On the Vietnamese side, there were Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van; Vice Chairman of Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee Le Xuan Loi; Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang; Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO Nguyen Thi Van Anh; Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO - Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Le Thi Hong Van, and representatives of central and local ministries and branches.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van spoke at the event.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van emphasized: “Vietnam is in an era of growth - a development journey based on knowledge, innovation and aspiration. On that journey, culture is the spiritual foundation, the endogenous resource, and the driving force for sustainable development.”

The Deputy Minister said that today's event is even more meaningful as it is part of a series of activities to celebrate the 135th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh - National Liberation Hero, Outstanding Cultural Celebrity honored by UNESCO in 1987. This is an opportunity to honor the ideological, moral values ​​and cultural heritage that President Ho Chi Minh left behind, while also strongly spreading the message of peace, humanity and international cooperation that he pursued throughout his life.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that introducing Bac Ninh - the homeland of Quan Ho and Dong Ho paintings - is an opportunity to spread the core values ​​of Vietnamese culture, while demonstrating the increasingly deep connection between Vietnam and UNESCO.

Vice Chairman of Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee Le Xuan Loi shared: "This is a valuable opportunity for Bac Ninh to introduce to the world the unique cultural values ​​of the homeland of Quan Ho, affirming the continuous efforts in preserving and promoting the heritage, towards the goal of having Dong Ho painting making recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection."

UNESCO Deputy Director General Xing Qu highly appreciated Vietnam's contributions.

UNESCO representative, Deputy Director General Xing Qu expressed his joy that the Vietnam-UNESCO partnership was raised to a new height after General Secretary To Lam's historic visit to UNESCO headquarters (October 2024).

Mr. Xing Qu also highly appreciated Vietnam's role and active and effective contributions to UNESCO as a member of six key governance mechanisms.

Affirming that the event not only aims to honor the richness and diversity of Vietnamese culture, a strong and resilient country that overcomes all challenges, but also an opportunity for international friends to express their support and close relationship with this country, Mr. Xing Qu expressed his hope that Vietnam will further promote its dynamic role at UNESCO, especially in the field of heritage conservation and promotion of human cultural values.

UNESCO Executive Board attended the event and took souvenir photos with delegates.

The leaders of the UNESCO Secretariat, Ambassadors, and Heads of Delegations of member countries were particularly impressed with the series of unique artistic activities and cultural experiences: from the smooth Quan Ho melodies to the space for practicing Dong Ho paintings, calligraphy, and clay figurines, bringing a Vietnam that is both traditional and creative, interactive and intimate.

At the end of the program, each delegate was presented with a Dong Ho painting and a calligraphy work, containing many meanings, not only as wishes for luck and peace from the country of Vietnam with its rich identity, but also expressing the spirit of peace, humanity, and solidarity - values ​​that Vietnam always cherishes and are also the mission that UNESCO constantly pursues.

The event “Vietnam - Cultural quintessence and Aspiration to rise” once again affirms Vietnam's role, responsibility and commitment in the effort to accompany UNESCO for a world of peace, diversity and sustainable development.

After the event "Quintessence of Bac Ninh culture - Dong Ho colors" held on March 29 at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, the above activity once again aims to spread the value and beauty of Dong Ho folk painting to more than 100 UNESCO member countries, campaigning for UNESCO to recognize "Dong Ho folk painting" at the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003 scheduled to be held in December 2025 in India.

In addition to art performances and cultural experiences, the event also introduces an exhibition space about the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh - National Liberation Hero, Outstanding Cultural Man - on the occasion of the 135th anniversary of his birth.

The exhibition includes typical images and documents about President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary journey and profound humanistic thoughts, thereby honoring his great contributions to the cause of fighting for national independence, peace, friendship and sustainable development - which are also the core values ​​that UNESCO upholds.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tinh-hoa-van-hoa-viet-nam-toa-sang-tai-tru-so-unesco-o-paris-310588.html