Cultural Preservation At First Hand

Audio-slideshow “Preserving Cultural Heritage in Vietnam – An Excursion To Three Beautiful Sites, Where Actions Speak Louder Than Words” and book “An Dinh – Hue’s Hidden Pearl”

These two publications launched at the Goethe Institute in Hanoi demonstrate how close cooperation between Vietnam and Germany contributes to the preservation of Vietnamese cultural monuments. In the presence of His Excellency, Mr. Rolf Schulze, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hanoi, the team from German Conservation Restoration & Education Projects presented accounts of what it has been possible to achieve in recent years in Vietnam, in the field of conservation and restoration.

The audio-slideshow “Preserving Cultural Heritage in Vietnam – An Excursion To Three Beautiful Sites, Where Actions Speak Louder Than Words” outlines the goals and principles of the bilateral Cultural Preservation Programme, and explains the historical framework and problematic aspects of restoration under tropical conditions. It then whisks one off on a virtual trip to the An Dinh Palace and the Tomb of Tu Duc in Hué, and to the historic core of Tran Dang village, near Hanoi. Vietnamese cultural heritage here has been – or continues to be – conserved and carefully restored, materials research undertaken and, in parallel, urgently needed local specialist personnel trained. This multimedia excursion is now available as a trilingual DVD.

The book “An Dinh – Hue’s Hidden Pearl” deepens these insights by documenting work undertaken over several years to conserve and restore the magnificent interior decor of the imperial An Dinh Palace. Impressive photographs and detailed commentaries enable readers to share the history of how this unique fusion of classical Vietnamese and European Baroque design came into being. The main focus, along with the chequered family fortunes of the last Nguyen emperors, is the on-the-job training scheme provided by the German team for Vietnamese restorers.

Both publications were launched in the context of “Germany in Vietnam 2010“, the programme that marks the two countries’ 35 years of diplomatic relations. From 07–13 June 2010 they will be presented as an exhibition, “Cultural Heritage in Vietnam”, at the An Dinh Palace, as part of the Hué Cultural Festival 2010.

Another “Germany in Vietnam 2010” event. See our Feature Page for info on more events celebrating German Year on Vietnam.