Exhibition of “Dong Ho Folk Printing-Past and Present” opens

Provincial leaders and tourists visit Dong Ho Folk Painting room.

Speaking at the exhibition, Vice Chairman of Bac Ninh Provincial People’s Committee said that the display is part of a series of activities to build a dossier seeking UNESCO’s recognition of the making of Dong Ho folk paintings as intangible cultural heritage. It is also an occasion to popularize the unique values of Dong Ho folk paintings to domestic and foreign visitors. Besides, this exhibition aims to introduce the unique features and characteristics of Dong Ho folk printing. The public will see old-style prints and patterns and those created using new styles and techniques collected by artisans' families, he added.

With a tradition of almost 400 years, the unique artistic value of the prints has earned them a wide reputation at home and abroad. The art was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage that needed protection in 2012 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

More than 100 objects on show include paintings, woodcuts and painting making tools.

In the section on traditional paintings, there are some items that are almost 100 years old. They feature traditional images like chickens, herds of pigs, chubby babies, national heroes or legendary figures, showing the wishes for longevity, happiness, prosperity and success.

The exhibition also zones a section for paintings that were recently recovered or created by contemporary artisans. Aside from typical images of the Dong Ho genre, they also reflect the Vietnamese society under the rule of French colonialists and at present.
 
The event will run through January 31, 2020.