Calligraphic works
As usual, the pavement around Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (the Temple of Literature) in Hanoi, known as Vietnam’s first university, is where calligraphers gather to display their works about one week before Lunar New Year’s Eve.
They all look happy and are ready to perform the special art of calligraphy. Some of them are still addressed with a black turban around the head as old-time scholars.
Nhu Phach, a 80-year old member of UNESCO Calligraphy Club, says proudly that many central agencies and businesses have asked him to write the words Duc (Righteous), Tam (Soul), Tri (Mind) and Nhan (Patience), while individuals prefer the words Phuc (Happiness), Loc (Good fortune) and Tho (Longevity).
“I wish to pass the art of calligraphy down to younger generations,” says the old artisan while drawing a picture of bamboo on the request of a French tourist.
Nguyen Lan Phuong, one of few female calligraphers, says she has learnt the art for more than 17 years. Visitors to her stall are very impressed by the way she performs, not only in Vietnamese but also in Chinese, English, French and Italian.
“Some foreigners ask me to write words in both Vietnamese and their native languages,” she adds.
Kieu Quoc Khanh, a young calligrapher, says he often offers his writing as a free gift to tourists. Sometimes, he has to explain to make them understand the art of calligraphy.
He adds that many people have asked him to write some poems selected from the late President Ho Chi Minh’s collection.
Cynthia Mann, a tourist from England, says she really feels the Tet atmosphere through calligraphic works.
Carmel McCabe, an American who has lived in Vietnam for many years, says she enjoys the New Year Festival and really likes the special art of calligraphy as it is a special feature of Vietnamese culture and philosophy.
Peter Colgan, an Austrian businessperson, share: “I am lucky to visit Vietnam shortly before the lunar New Year festival and my wife is very jealous of my trip to Vietnam.”
On a working trip of just two days to Vietnam, Peter says he would return here, of course with his wife, in the near future to explore more about the S-shaped nation.