In the autumn atmosphere of Hanoi, the campus of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam becomes bustling with the sound of chiseling, tapping and touches on the wooden blanks. Many foreign tourists and young people enthusiastically create paintings with familiar motifs in Vietnamese culture such as carp crossing Vu Mon, bamboo trees, lotus flowers, apricot blossoms, đề leaves and Khue Van Cac.
The activity is part of the "Bringing Crafts to the City" project, organized by the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Relic Management Board in coordination with Bui Gia Wood Painting Workshop. The program combines traditional carving experience with heritage education, creating opportunities for the public to directly learn and practice a handicraft associated with Vietnamese cultural life.
The experience space not only introduces chiseling and carving techniques but also helps participants discover cultural stories conveyed through each motif. From Vu Mon carp, lotus flowers to đề leaves or Khue Van Cac, each image on the wooden blanket carries a layer of its own meaning.
Talking to Lao Dong, artisan Bui Trong Quan, a member of Bui Gia Wood Workshop (Than carpentry village), said that the program has received a wide response from domestic and foreign tourists, especially families with young children.
During the implementation process, the project received a lot of support from domestic and foreign tourists, especially families with young children coming to experience it. We want to spread the love of Vietnamese culture with long-standing historical values. Stories about filial piety, spirit of studiousness, solidarity, village and neighborhood affection, husband and wife affection... are all expressed on each wooden blank," Mr. Quan shared.
According to the artisan, the interesting point of the experience lies in the fact that participants not only observe but also directly perform each stage. From how to hold tools, create force to control each chisel line, each operation requires patience and carefulness.
Under the guidance of the artisans of Bui Gia Wood Workshop, visitors get acquainted with basic techniques to gradually complete their own works. The experience time is unlimited, participants can proactively complete the works according to their ability and desire.
For many people, this experience also brings the opportunity to create a souvenir made by themselves, instead of just choosing a complete product.
Ms. Ky Duyen, a student studying abroad in Poland, shared: "I chose to carve carp Vu Mon to encourage myself to study better. This is the second painting I have made. The young people here are very enthusiastic, not only explaining the meaning of the motifs but also guiding how to complete the paintings to be the most beautiful.
The experience atmosphere becomes even more exciting when the wooden blanks successively show the lines. Some people spend a lot of time completing a small detail, some people patiently adjust each stroke. Whether the finished product is clumsy or relatively complete, each painting carries the own mark of the person directly performing it.
Workshop "Bringing crafts to the city" opens up a close approach to traditional wood carving, when young people and international tourists can directly hold tools, chisel, carve and create their own works.
Through each line on the wooden blanket, participants not only feel the meticulousness of the craft but also have the opportunity to learn about cultural stories behind traditional motifs. From there, handicrafts are connected with the public through real-life experiences, instead of just being able to look at completed products.
