Art & Entertainment News Headlines 3/6 Photo book features Viet Nam's islands, seas Journalist Gian Thanh Son will release a photo book featuring the beauty of Vietnamese islands and seas that he has photographed during the last 20 years. The photo book titled Viet Nam's Islands and Coastline Seen from Above is expected to be published in September. The book will be compiled as a pictorial chronicle of the islands and seas of Viet Nam. "I have decided to print the book on this occasion because I want to contribute to the affirmation of Viet Nam's sovereignty over its sea and islands," stated Son of the Ho Chi Minh City's Police newspaper. "I also wish to publicise the photos depicting the natural beauty of the islands and seas of Viet Nam, which I have had an opportunity to fly over." "I hope the beauty of the islands and seas that I have captured through my lens will inspire and strengthen patriotism among the Vietnamese." The photo book will also be a milestone marking the 20th year Son has been taking aerial pictures. Son will consult with experts to provide an introduction to each photo. The idea of taking aerial pictures flashed across his mind while he was on a field trip in the Con Dao Island in 2003. Viewing through the plane's windows, he was amazed by the natural beauty of the country below. Since then he has taken good use of flying trips to capture the country from above. In addition, Son is allowed to appear for flight training by 917 Aviation Regiment, where he can take pictures of every corner of the country. "Viet Nam has a long coastline with thousands of islands, which cannot be captured comprehensively in a few years," Son noted, adding: "I hope more colleagues have the same purpose like me in taking photos of the islands and seas of Viet Nam." Born in 1957, the photo journalist has launched several publications including Politician Portraits, Integration Milestone and Nick Ut - A Simple Legend. He has also set the national record of being the photographer who has taken the highest number of aerial landscape photos. Damaged historical Hue site restored The left corner of Phu Van Lau, a well-known building within the Hue Royal Citadel in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, has been being consolidated to preserve the stability of the site. According to director of the Centre for Preservation of Hue Monuments Phan Thanh Hai, the provincial People’s Committee has worked with the Ministry of Construction’s Institute for Construction Science and Technology to repair the section of the building which collapsed on May 15. Hai said construction units have partially reinforced the system of wood columns, which were rotten and could not sustain the pressure of the roof, which partially collapsed. Phu Van Lau is located on the main axis of the Imperial Citadel of Hue, facing the Huong (Perfume) River. It was built in 1819 under Emperor Gia Long and used as a place for listing the important edicts of the king and the royal court and analysing the results of examinations held by the court. Before 1975, Phu Van Lau was restored, using concrete frames combined with a number of wooden pillars. Since 1993, the building has been restored a few times, but only on a small scale due to funding difficulties.- Indian artists give life to Buddha's teachings   Twenty six painters from India are providing a deep insight into the life of Buddha through a special event that opened yesterday in Ha Noi. The exhibition Enlightenment Lord Buddha was organised by India's Embassy in Ha Noi. It showcases 74 paintings displaying various aspects of the Indian philosopher who has influenced most of Asia for 25 centuries. The paintings were done by artists from an organisation titled International Eminent Modern Art of India who explored Buddhist aesthetics and spiritualism. Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam Preeti Saran said the display had been prepared with a vision to contributing to a better world. "Vietnamese have lots of devotion for religious and spiritual matters, especially the Buddhist message of peace, love and harmony," she said. "We think that many Vietnamese Buddhists and people will be fond of the paintings and have decided to bring them to Ha Noi so that Buddha's message of non-violence, tolerance and compassion can spread to more and more people." The event, a continuation of the Festival of India held in Viet Nam in March, is the first of its kind in Viet Nam. "I organise hundreds of exhibitions each year, but this is the first event on Buddhism," said painter Ngo Van Cao, director of the Exhibition Hall, 16 Ngo Quyen Street, which hosts the event. "Each exhibit vividly portrays a face of Buddha. In my own opinion, the artists are highly professional," Cao added. "They successfully display their spirit through work which comes from the heart." According to the founder of International Eminent and Modern Art, Amandeep Singh Vaseer, related events are often held in India. "We work a lot on Buddhism, spiritual life, the soul ... everything. But this is the first time we have had an opportunity to present work in Ha Noi," said Vaseer. "With this type of art, painters need peace through meditation. They meditate while painting." Art has its own language, so the paintings speak for themselves. They believe that the sacred meaning and morality of the paintings take viewers deep into Buddha's message of love, peace and compassion. The exhibits are on display on the third floor of the Exhibition Hall, 16 Ngo Quyen, until Saturday.  Future Now Music Festival slated for Saturday Future Now Music Festival, an electronic dance music (EDM) event, will be held for the first time in Vietnam on June 7 in HCMC’s District 7, featuring DJ Afrojack and hiphop band Far East Movement. Afrojack is a Grammy-winning producer and DJ from the Netherlands. He ranked 9th in the world’s top 100 DJs by DJ Mag in 2013 and has had some hits with popular artists, including “Last Night” (Ian Carey, Snoop Dogg), “Give me everything” (Neyo) and “Run the World (Girls)” (Beyoncé). His latest hits are “Ten Feet Tall” and “Keep Our Love Alive” at the Ulltra Music Festival 2014 Miami. Far East Movement is an American hiphop band quartet based in Los Angeles. The band was also the first Asian-American group to earn a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. in 2010 for their hit Like a G6. Some popular local DJs joining the event are DJs SlimV, Nimbia, Mike Hao, Duy Duy, Looze Khuong and Brian Vo. The event is expected to attract over 10,000 spectators. Tickets are priced from VND350,000 to VND1.35 million. For further information, visit http://ticketbox.vn/event/future-now-music-festival-3335 or www.facebook.com/FutureNowMusicFestival. Phuot.vn hosts photo contest on landscapes A photo contest ‘Theo canh Hai Au’ (Following Seagull Wings) was organized by the tourism forum Phuot.vn from May 29 to June 1, with participating Vespa riders traveling to coastal cities such as Long Hai, Phan Thiet, Cam Ranh and Nha Trang to take photos. Entries will be posted on the forum Phuot.vn and voted by the public. The winner will be awarded a Vespa worth VND70 million. The best photos will be displayed in Hanoi and HCMC from late June to the end of July. Source: VNN/VNS/ND/SGGP/SGT