Art exhibition to celebrate the opening of new pedestrian zone in Hà Nội

Oil painting entitled Mùa Hoa Xoan (Chinaberry season) by painter Nguyễn Duy Tùng) is among the artworks to be displayed at the Hạnh Phúc Xanh (Green Happiness) exhibition. — Photo courtesy of the artist

HÀ NỘI — Artworks by 40 renowned artists will be displayed at an exhibition in Sơn Tây old fortress citadel in Hà Nội’s Sơn Tây Town from April 22 to May 3.

The exhibition, entitled Hạnh Phúc Xanh (Green Happiness), will present 80 artworks by artists from different regions across the country. The works are diverse in content and styles, on various materials such as oil, lacquer, dó (poonah) paper or wood.

“It is one of the cultural and art activities to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Sơn Tây old fortress citadel and the opening of a pedestrian street in the citadel – the 4th pedestrian street of Hà Nội. It also aims to welcome visitors to the ancient citadel on the occasion of the national holiday on April 30 and May 1,” artist Nguyễn Tấn Phát, a member of the organisation board, told Việt Nam News.

Chân Dung Tiên (Portrait of a Fairy), an oil painting by painter Đoàn Tùng. — Photo courtesy of the artist

Green Happiness also shows the collaboration of the artists in an effort to meet spiritual needs while conveying many meaningful messages about nature and environmental protection.

According to Phát, Sơn Tây old fortress citadel is chosen as the venue for the art event thanks to its original historical, cultural, architectural and also environmental values. “Located to the west of Hà Nội, the relic is considered a ‘green lung’ of Sơn Tây Town,” he said.

A corner of Sơn Tây old fortress citadel, which has become the fourth pedestrian zone of Hà Nội. — Photo vov.vn

Sơn Tây town is one of the five satellite towns of Hà Nội with the main functions of cultural, historical, ecological tourism, and commercial services on the basis of preserving traditional cultural heritage.

Sơn Tây old fortress citadel is the fourth pedestrian zone of the city to be launched, after the three walking spaces of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hà Nội’s Old Quarter and Trịnh Công Sơn Street.

The zone also aims to promote the image of the Sơn Tây fortress, a military base built by King Minh Mạng in 1822 to protect Thăng Long Imperial Citadel.

The street is set to open from 7pm on Saturday until Sunday noon every week. It also promises to become a space for entertainment, culture and tourism.

The 820-metre-long walking area spreads over Phó Đức Chính and Phan Chu Trinh street, Sơn Tây town; the outer road of Sơn Tây old fortress citadel; flower garden in the town centre; central flower garden area square; the front yard of the town’s cultural centre and town stadium square. VNS