This is the first time the program has been held in Latin America and is the largest ever. Attendees in Rio de Janeiro eagerly donned traditional conical hats and explored many cultural quintessence of Vietnam such as making to he figurines, printing Dong Ho paintings and enjoying coffee brewed in the “Hanoi Old Quarter”.
Luiza Coelho, a Brazilian, excitedly shared while making a toy: “Making a ball and carving a favorite player into a toy is a new and meaningful experience for me.
Under the enthusiastic guidance of Vietnamese artists, I was able to express my national pride and love for football while also discovering the profound cultural story between the two countries. This is truly a bridge that brings us closer together.”
The opening ceremony of the art program with a drum performance combined with traditional Vovinam martial arts dance created a vibrant atmosphere and enthusiastic spirit. The graceful and powerful martial arts movements on the heroic drum background left an unforgettable impression on the local audience.
According to the Organizing Committee, the national team of the Vietnam Lion and Dragon Dance Federation will introduce to international friends for the first time the Tu Linh dragon dance, recreating the image of the Ly dynasty dragons - one of the cultural quintessence closely associated with the lives of Vietnamese people from the past to the present.
The exhibitions “Vietnamese Cultural Heritage”, “Colors of Vietnam”, and the wall about 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups also contribute to introducing and promoting a Vietnam that both preserves the quintessence of a thousand-year culture and strongly strives in the era of integration and prosperity.
In particular, the lacquer painting exhibition “Spreading traditional colors” with the participation of artists from both countries not only highlights the unique cultural exchange but also conveys the message of the strong friendship between the two countries through the subtle language of art.
When watching the puppets moving vividly on the water surface of the water puppet show, Pedro Cavaco, a young Brazilian, could not hide his surprise and shared: “I was very surprised by the skill and ingenuity of the artisans. This is truly a unique art form, only found in Vietnam.”
Like Pedro Cavaco, most international friends were excited and delighted when they first enjoyed the water puppet show performed by artist Phan Thanh Liem. Under the red tiled roof of the water stage, the combination of sound, light and puppets on the water surface created many magical performances, imbued with Vietnamese culture, vividly reflecting the life and folk culture of the people in the Northern countryside. Folk tales such as Uncle Teu, dragon boat racing, and buffalo fighting seemed to lead the audience on a fascinating journey to discover Vietnamese culture. This is the first time water puppetry - a national intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam - has appeared in the program "Vietnam Day Abroad".
Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO, Head of the Organizing Committee, said: “We have changed the materials from wood to corrugated iron, plastic, and foam. This process is quite complicated and laborious, having to ensure flexibility for transportation while ensuring the aesthetics and artistry of the performances. However, we are extremely proud to be able to introduce water puppetry to our friends in Brazil. This is a meaningful gift that we want to give to the people here.”
“Vietnam Day Abroad” is a national promotion program assigned by the Prime Minister to the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO - Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize annually since 2010. This year, the Program is organized in Brazil and Saudi Arabia with the theme “Convergence of thousand-year-old cultural quintessence - Rising in the era of wealth and prosperity”.
