OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION “VĂN MIẾU – QUỐC TỬ GIÁM: A JOURNEY FROM HERITAGE TO CREATIVE SPACE”
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025) and the 37th anniversary of the establishment of the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, the Center held the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám: A Journey from Heritage to Creative Space” on the afternoon of April 25, 2025.
The event was honored by the presence of musician Nguyễn Vĩnh Cát, former Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Information – former Director of the Center; Dr. Nguyễn Viết Chức, former Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Information; Associate Professor Dr. Đặng Văn Bài – Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council; Dr. Vũ Thị Minh Hương – Vice Chair of the UNESCO Memory of the World Committee for Asia-Pacific, member of the National Cultural Heritage Council; Prof. Dr. Philip Le Failler, Director of the EFEO Office in Hanoi; Mr. Phạm Tứ, former Director of the Center; Ms. Phạm Thị Thúy Hằng, former Executive Deputy Director of the Center, along with current and former leaders, officials, and staff of the Center.
The exhibition reflects on nearly four decades of preserving and promoting the value of the special national relic of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, a site that has nurtured the spirit of learning, respect for teachers, and the appreciation of talent.
Through documents, images, infographics, and modern technology, the exhibition vividly retraces the journey from the challenging early days—when the site faced severe degradation—through to the significant transformations in recent years. This journey has been shaped by the collective efforts of generations of leaders, scholars, organizations, and individuals—both domestic and international—as well as the dedicated staff of the Center throughout its history.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Lê Xuân Kiêu, Director of the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, shared:
“We hope the exhibition is not only a moment to look back at our journey but also a message about the dialogue between tradition and modernity at the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám heritage site and about how we balance heritage preservation with innovation in an era of rapid technological advancement.”
Although the 37 years since the Center’s founding are brief in comparison to the thousand-year history of the monument, they have marked a significant chapter in the ongoing mission to safeguard and promote the values of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám.
This exhibition serves as a tribute to generations who have dedicated themselves to the protection of heritage, while also clearly expressing the Center’s development vision—to transform Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám into a cultural and creative space at the heart of Hanoi.
The exhibition runs from April 25 to May 20, 2025, at the Thái Học House within the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám complex.
Thúy Hồng
TL: LH
