Art & Entertainment News Headlines 2/7 Contest invites entries for Ha Long Bay souvenirs   The Ha Long Bay Management Board has launched a contest to mark the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO's recognition of the Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage site. That recognition was granted on December 17, 1994. The contest seeks souvenir items which not only have good design, but also represent the specific identity as well as beauty of the spot. The contest's organisers said they would welcome all materials that will be used to make the souvenir entries, but the fact is that those made with environment friendly or locally available materials would be preferred. The entries can be sent by September 10 and the result will be announced on October 14. There are two VND15-million or US$700 first prizes, two VND10-million or $470 second prizes, and two VND5-million or $240 third prizes. The winning entries will be displayed at the Quang Ninh Provincial Museum. For more details about the contest, visit www.halongbay.com.vn Hue printmaking exhibit displays inspiring results of art workshop An exhibition showcasing 113 art works in different printing techniques has opened in the central Hue City. The works, created by 40 artists who were at the Hue Printmaking Workshop, include installation graphics, book art, truc chi, and lithographs. They conveyed various themes, from living power, love for nature to desire for broader art margins. Some of the artists are from HCM City, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh and Quang Nam. Others are from Da Nang, Hue, and Ha Noi, including one from Thailand. They learnt and shared techniques at the workshop before starting production on particular projects. The 11-day workshop ended yesterday. Artist Phan Hai Bang, one of the organisers of the workshop said it had succeeded in inspiring artists and students to take part in the activities of the workshop. "Artists at the workshop have planned numerous activities right after this exhibition thanks to the power [of creation] gained during the 10 days," said Bang. "Students also, gained more confidence in career orientation," he added. The workshop, which was organised by the Hue College of Art, the Viet Nam Fine Arts Association and Thua Thien-Hue Fine Arts Association, was aimed at encouraging more creativity by artists on simple and quick printmaking techniques. "The techniques are expected to free graphic designers from the dependence on machinery and available tools. This inspires artists to be more creative as well as bring graphic designing closer to life," said Bang. There is no entry fee for the exhibition, which is open till July 7 at the New Space Art Foundation in 15, Le Loi Street. Oc Eo civilisation’s artifacts unearthed As many as 49 objects were found at the Go Thap relic complex in Thap Muoi district of the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap during the three excavations in 1993, 2009 and 2013. They are golden sheets of different shapes and decorated with patterns depicting such flora and fauna as lotuses, cows, pigs and snakes, which are believed to associate with Gods, including Vinshnu – a supreme God of Vaishnavism – a main sect of Hinduism. A set of jewelries including an earring, a necklace and four rings also demonstrates the engraving skills of goldsmiths in the civilisation. Local authorities are seeking national treasure title for the collection that is valuable in terms of science, art-culture and religion. Oc Eo is believed to have taken shape and flourished in the Mekong Delta from the first to the sixth century AD, contributing a number of ancient objects to the national treasures such as pottery, tools and religious statues. The Go Thap archaeological complex was recognised as a special national relic site in late 2012. Hanoi to host national recreational dance competition The 4th National Recreational Dance Championship will be held in the capital in July with both professional and amateur hip-hop dancers taking part. The annual contest, organised by the Vietnam Recreational e-Sport and Electronic Sport Association and called Floor Killer this year, will see dancers from Vietnam and abroad go head-to-head in knockout contests. The event will feature the world's six fastest growing hip-hop genres: breaking, hip hop, locking, popping, waacking and house. The jury will comprise famous dancers from Vietnam, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Japan. This year’s event will also feature performances by two guest dancers from Germany, Uwe Donaubauer and Louis Becker. Donaubauer graduated from the FRK Dance Academy in Austria as a hip-hop, breakdance and locking instructor, while Becker is one of the best known B-Boys in Germany and studied hip-hop at the Tanzzwiet Dance School in Berlin. Vietnam royal arts on display in France An exhibition featuring the aesthetic value and changes of the dragon image in Vietnamese culture and religion will be held at the Guimet Museum of Asia Art in Paris, France, from September 9-15. Eighty-nine artefacts are dated from the Dong Son Culture in the early 20th century and made from differential materials, such as gold, silver, bronze and gem stones. The highlight of the exhibition will be dragon patterns-carved artefacts including a gold book, a gold seal and a gold hat which belonged to a collection of Hue Royal Palace. According to Vietnamese culture, the dragon symbolises nobility and sacredness. It was used to be decorated at formal positions and represents the king’s power. Ancient people believed the dragon brought about rains and favourable weather, bumper crops, wealth and happiness. The exhibition aims to introduce international friends, particularly the French public, to distinctive Vietnamese cultural identities. Vietnamese cultural festival featured in Germany Thousands of Overseas Vietnamese (OVs) and international friends from over 54 countries around the globe gathered at a recent Vietnamese cultural festival in Frankfurt, Germany. The highlight of the event was a three kilometre parade through the city of Frankfurt streets led by a 30-member Vietnamese folk dance group. They pranced through the streets lion dancing, playing the drums, with many colourful floats and displays of Vietnam’s national flower (lotus) trailing. At the event a special display featuring the nation’s national flag, a bronze drum, and map affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos was proudly exhibited. Vietnamese female artists donned in traditional long dress (Ao Dai) also danced along city streets at the gala affair with German men dressed in Vietnam’s traditional costumes, in praise of the homeland, love, and solidarity. The event is held annually every June in Frankfurt. Many visitors to this year’s festival were heard commenting that they were deeply impressed by Vietnamese people’s hospitality, peace-loving spirit and traditional cultural values. The event aimed to introduce cultural diversity, combat discrimination, and promote peace and solidarity among peoples around the globe. HCM City theatres tackle family matters As part of HCM City's cultural activities to celebrate national Family Day this year, local theatres are offering a variety of new and interesting shows on family issues to suit audiences looking for serious topics. Love and betrayal are featured in director Bui Quoc Bao's Lac Giua Pho Nguoi (Lost in the Crowd), a play staged by the Hoang Thai Thanh Drama Club. Attracting young and talented actors, including Nhu Phuc, Luong Duyen, Quoc Thinh and The Hai, Lac Giua Pho Nguoi provides fans with lessons in love, marriage and family conflicts. The play depicts the tragic life of Lan (played by Nhu Phuc), who has an adulterous relationship with a married man. She suffers in misery and finally pays a great price for her mistakes. Lan's husband, Tuan (played by veteran Thanh Hoi) is a good man who earns a lot of money from his business. But he learns that money would not bring happiness for his wife and children. "Married couples are living in a global world. They face challenges in a modern life where they do not have enough time to understand each of their family's members. After watching, audiences can see themselves and find lessons from each character in Lac Giua Pho Nguoi," said the play's young director Bao. Bao worked hard to bring his fans a world of sound and light on a modern stage. The play is staged every night at the Cultural House for Children in District 1. The 5B Small Theatre's shows are familiar among to local students and workers. This season, the house is offering three serious plays, Phia Sau Toi Ac (Behind the Evil), Guong Mat Ke Khac (The Face) and Ao Va That (Truth and Illusion), at its theatre located in Vo Van Tan Street, District 1. These shows, highlighting women and their challenges in work and family, began last week and continue every night to the end of July. For more quiet selections, try the popular stages of the Phu Nhuan Drama Club in Nguyen Van Troi Street and Hong Van Club on Truong Son Street. Phu Nhuan Club performs Nguoi Dan Ba Uong Ruou (The Woman Drinking Wine) and Vu Dieu Duoi Trang (Dance in the Moonlight), both of which feature urban women and the problems they face to protect their love and family. "Through our plays, audiences can be entertained but also can gain useful lessons," said the theatre's director, Hong Van. An option for laughs is the Minh Beo Club. "Unlike other theatres, we decided to stage comedies this season because people want to be entertained and forget their problems after days of hard work," said comic actor Nguyen Minh, director of the theatre. "Our club's comedy shows as Dan Ong Cung Khoc (Men in Tears) and Mui Da Nguoi (The Flavour of Skin) have received a warm response from critics and theatre lovers," Van said. The three-act play Dan Ong Cung Khoc focuses on the sufferings of children whose father is addicted to alcohol while Mui Da Nguoi tells teenagers about their curiosity about love, gender differences, and sexual relationships. Minh said his club would soon perform a series of comedies featuring dozens of skilled actors: Cha Nao Con Nay (Like Father Like Son) and Tuyen Tap Cuoi (Ga La Selective Comedies). All of the shows are about family issues and promise different views. "We are confident our shows will achieve a good profit this season," he added. New book explains LGBT community A book entitled Xoac Cang Doi Mua Xuan (Splitting Your Legs, Waiting for Spring) for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community will be released on Friday in Ha Noi. The 50 short-story collection explains the community and reveals uncovered corners of the community. The book was compiled from the 354 entries to the Six Colour Rainbow contest organised in 2013 by the Centre for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women and Adolescents. The jurors consisted of writer Le Minh Khue, writer Trang Ha, poet Hoang Nhuan Cam, and literary critic Chu Van Son The book launching will be held at 2.30pm at Ha Noi Goethe Institute, 56 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.  Summer Escape – Vietnam’s biggest musical carnival Following the success of five previous yearly shows, Summer Escape is coming back to Saigon this summer on July 12 with a major theme of celebrating the 2014 FIFA World Cup in District 7 from noon till night. Local and international DJs will entertain revelers with a diverse range of dance music genres, from the pulsating techno, house, EDM and electro to dubstep, eclectic, drum & bass, hip hop and more. The event consists of a pool party, foam party, motor show and other outdoor activities, alongside with glamorous dancers in carnival costumes. Free beer will be available form 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the day. Tickets starting from VND199,000 are available online at http://bit.ly/1nGvFk6. For more information, visit http://escape-2014.blogspot.com/ or telephone +84 (0)8 38277558. The site of Summer Escape is Phu My Hung town, Tan Trao Street, District 7, HCMC. Dan tranh concert A concert of the 16-string zither dan tranh took place at 8 p.m. Monday at HCMC Conservatory of Music, featuring famous artists such as quartet Duyet Thi Trang from Vietnam, dan tranh band Huong Viet from the U.S., VA’V Tranhsemble of artist Vo Van Anh who has been nominated for Emmy and Oscar awards and artists from Phuong Ca music school in France. Another music show ‘The country’s melody’ is slated for 7:30 p.m. on July 2 at the HCMC Labor Culture Palace with performances of folk and traditional music pieces, and traditional musical instruments. Moreover, a workshop on dan tranh and a talk featuring lecturer Tran Van Khe and other artists of traditional music genres will accompany the concert. Tickets for the concert are priced from VND100,000 to VND200,000. Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Soldiers held in Hanoi The 300-year-old ceremony commemorating soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country and symbolize Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago was held at the Culture-Tourism Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups in Dong Mo, Ha Noi, on June 29. The traditional ceremony, known as ‘Le khao le the linh Hoang Sa’(Hoang Sa Soldier Feast and Commemoration Festival), commemorating the sacrifice of soldiers of Hoang Sa is a special ceremony which is held annually on Ly Son island in Quang Ngai Province. The event includes a wide range of rituals, including a funeral oration, a requiem for the dead, and the launching garlands and model wooden boats carrying soldiers and sailors out to sea. The ceremony is one of activities marking the Vietnam Family Day 2014 themed “The grand family of Vietnamese ethnic groups and national sovereignty” in Hanoi. Source: VNS/VOV/SGGP/ND/SGT/VNA