Photos exhibit culture of ancestral land

Published: 17:45 Monday - April 15, 2013

Hundreds of photographs depicting typical features of the traditional cultural values of the northern midland province of Phu Tho – known as the ancestral land of Vietnam - are being showcased in the locality to commemorate Hung Kings, the founders of the nation.

The exhibition is held on the occasion of the death anniversary of the Hung Kings (March 10 on the lunar calendar which falls on April 19 this year) and the Hung Kings Temple Festival, which takes place from April 13-19.

Opened on April 14, the exhibition also gives a space for 50 paintings of various materials and genres by local and Seoul artists, bringing in comparative views on the current socio-cultural life of Phu Tho and that of the capital of the Republic of Korea , which share numerous similarities with Vietnam in terms of culture and history.

The event is significant as it demonstrates not only the friendly ties between Phu Tho and Seoul but also the spirit of cooperation and international integration of the two nations, said Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Ha Ke San.

Earlier, on April 10, another photo show on the practice of worshipping Hung Kings in the community’s socio-cultural life was also open to visitors. Among nearly 100 photos on display, there is a picture of the procession taken at the Hung King Temple festival in 1905.

The Worship of Hung Kings was recognised as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity at the seventh session of the UNESCO committee in Paris on December 6, 2012.