On the evening of November 18, in celebration of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day on November 23, the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, in collaboration with the Center for Conservation of Hue Imperial Citadel, organized the program “Heritage Convergence.”
Attending the program were central delegates, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Bac – Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics; Mr. Nguyen Huy Dung – Deputy Minister of Information and Communications; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Van Bai – Vice Chairman of the National Heritage Council; Mr. Nong Quoc Thanh – Deputy Head of the Cultural Heritage Department (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).
Representatives from Thua Thien Hue Province included Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh – Member of the Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Mr. Phan Thien Dinh – Member of the Standing Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. Hanoi city was represented by Mr. Do Dinh Hong – Member of the City Party Committee, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports.
Speaking at the program, the Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, Le Xuan Kieu, emphasized that the art program “Heritage Convergence” is the fruit of a long-term, close, effective collaboration between the Center for Conservation of Hue Imperial Citadel and the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam over the years. The program aims to express gratitude and honor the cultural heritage left by our ancestors, encouraging those engaged in heritage work to persist in their efforts, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the nation’s heritage values, and bringing these values closer to the public.
Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, Le Xuan Kieu, delivered remarks at the program.
“On this special evening, at Thai Hoc Yard, the ancient site of Quoc Tu Giam, we will indulge in the cultural essence of Hue and Thang Long – Hanoi, blending contemporary vibes with convergence right here. This cultural exchange will contribute to promoting the cultural heritage values of Hue and Thang Long-Hanoi, enriching and deepening the cultural values of the nation in life. Simultaneously, it nurtures love, appreciation, and responsibility for the national cultural heritage for continuity, for the flow of heritage values to future generations,” emphasized Mr. Le Xuan Kieu.
Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Center for Conservation of Hue Imperial Citadel, stated, “Hue is known as a distinctive tourist city, the Festival City of Vietnam, also a place preserving many internationally recognized heritages. For many years, the Hue Festivals have attracted attention and responses from both domestic and international communities. Through this art program, the traditional cultural values and the inherited values of the performing arts of the nation once again affirm the spirit of convergence and dissemination; the spirit of resonance and transformation in many aspects that the Hue Festival has undertaken. This is also how the culture of Hue introduces itself and promotes to the community, affirming the direction of building the centrally governed city “on the foundation of preserving, and promoting the values of the ancient capital’s heritage and the cultural identity of Hue, with cultural, heritage, ecological, landscape, environmentally friendly, and smart characteristics.”
Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Center for Conservation of Hue Imperial Citadel
“With many converging meanings, it is hoped that the program will provide you with interesting and impressive experiences of Hue’s culture, the image of the Hue Festival in the heritage space of Thang Long, a thousand years of civilization,” added Mr. Hoang Viet Trung.
At the “Heritage Convergence” night, the audience witnessed the convergence of two heritages: the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam of Thang Long with the Night Tour experience and the cultural heritage of the Hue Imperial Citadel with traditional artistic programs from Hue, along with royal court games and iconic images of the Hue imperial citadel.
”Touhu” game
“Do Xam Huong” game (game of casting lots to acquire red-lettered cards bearing different academic titles in the traditional examination system of the past)
The program kicked off with the 3D mapping film “Essence of Confucianism,” creating a dazzling and enchanting space within the Thai Hoc House for the night. To leverage the cultural heritage value of the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy and transform the nighttime heritage space into a distinctive tourism product, the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy collaborated with Vietsoftpro Holdings Investment Joint Stock Company to develop the evening experience program at the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy. The main content of the program was the 3D mapping film “Essence of Confucianism,” inspired by the cultural heritage values at the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, closely linked to the nation’s philosophy throughout the centuries.
The Thai Hoc House illuminated at night.
Next, the audience enjoyed the artistic program “Heritage Convergence,” presented by the Hue Traditional Art Royal Theater and the Center for Conservation of the Hue Imperial Citadel in collaboration with the Center for Cultural and Educational Activities at the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam.
Scenes “Writing Training” – “A Thousand Years of Civilization”
Royal dance “Trinh tuong tap khanh,” typically performed during the king’s birthday celebrations.
The royal dance “Offering Flower Lanterns” featured dancers disguised as deities, and fairy maidens holding two lotus lanterns while gracefully dancing and singing in the shimmering and ethereal light, creating a solemn and splendid atmosphere.
The ensemble piece “Building the Capital” – a new composition with material and musical inspiration from the court – received a silver medal at the ASEAN Music Festival in 2022.
The performance of “Small Music of Phu Luc Dich,” a piece from the Small Music system, usually performed during imperial banquets and receptions for foreign envoys, added to the cultural richness.
The song “Hanoi, Hue, Saigon,” performed by the artists, concluded the “Heritage Convergence” art program, celebrating Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day on November 23, 2023.
The “Heritage Convergence” art program serves as an opportunity for cultural exchange and promotion among heritage conservation units, emphasizing the goal of turning nighttime heritage spaces into distinctive tourism products for each region in Vietnam.