Concluding the photography program in Vietnam, with the participation of 180 international photographers, the American Society of Photographic Artists (PSA) said it will organize a photo exhibition, both recognizing cultural heritage through member lenses and spreading Vietnamese cultural values to the world.
Ms. Helena Van, head of the organizing committee of the PSA photography program, had an interview with Lao Dong reporters to clarify the idea of the exhibition.
Madam, the 4th photography creation program, organized by PSA for members in Vietnam, ended after 15 days, including 9 days of creation in the North, and 6 days at central heritage sites. Unexpectedly, the organizers came up with the idea of organizing an exhibition, introducing beautiful images to the public. Can you tell us the reason for this?
Ms. Helena Van: It is true that according to the plan, 15 days of creation at Vietnamese cultural heritage sites will close the program of meeting members of our Association.
But, after the expansion program in the Central region, PSA considered the possibility of organizing a photo exhibition, and Hoi An is a considered location.
This idea did not follow a prior plan, but came very naturally, from the emotions and practical results of the trip.
Our initial focus was PSA's fourth international photography gathering program with 180 photographers gathered, carrying out a journey through the Northern heritage sites of Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen.
But when introducing Vietnam, we realized that if we only stop in the North, it is not enough to fully feel the depth of the country's culture.
Therefore, we expanded the program, introducing another slice of quintessence, about the Central region, with a more contemplative, ancient, deeper beauty, and with great evocative power about history, memories, architecture and community life.
When 68 photographers from 15 countries experienced Hue, Hoi An, My Son, we discovered that each Vietnamese heritage is not only beautiful in architecture or history, but also has strong vitality in the community.
Photographers have captured many precious moments: the beauty of people, light, heritage space, local rhythm of life, traditional costumes, rituals, smiles and the friendliness of the people.
We suddenly thought that these images should not just stop in the personal memory of each photographer, but need a space to share with the public, as a thank you to the community of residents in the heritage area, and also a way for Vietnamese cultural values to continue to spread in the language of photography.
What is the message of this exhibition, Madam?
Ms. Helena Van: If the exhibition is really opened after a 15-day journey to explore Vietnamese heritage, I think the main message will be: Heritage does not belong to the past, but is living today, in the community, people, in the way we preserve, behave, and share with the world.
PSA hopes that through photography, the public can see that each local heritage is not just a tourist destination, not just an architectural work or historical trace, but a living space of the community.
There are people, family memories, traditional crafts, customs, daily life, very real smiles and cultural values passed down from generation to generation.
What I appreciate is that international photographers did not come to see Vietnam as a destination. They listened, observed, felt, and recorded with respect, to make the images more profound.
Because a beautiful photo is not only in composition or lighting, but also in the attitude of the photographer, with the land and people in front of the lens.
I believe I will do the exhibition, as a cultural dialogue, between Vietnam and international friends, between the past and the present, between heritage and community, between creators and heritage keepers.
For me, that is the positive value that photography brings: turning private moments into common memories, turning local beauty into pride to share with the world.
