Grannies of the gong perform highland tunes

Jamming: A group of women from Trap Village play mountain rhythms from the heart. — File Photo

DAC LAC — In the autmn of their lives, a group of E De Bih women have discovered the freshness and vigor of spring.

At Trap Village in Dac Lac Province's Krong Ana District, six women in their mid-seventies have taken to playing gongs – cong and chieng, folk instruments of the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) region – as a way overcome their problems and enjoy life.

They are also hoping their band will be able to bring passion and joy to their villagers. The deep sounds of the gongs are the very soul of the highlands. These instruments are played to celebrate good harvests, religious festivals as well as occasions like child-birth.

The band, Jho - Buon Trap, plays original folk songs of the E De Bih people in a unique style.

"While male artists show off their talents with their hands, our women perform with their inner emotions," said Vu Lan, former deputy chairman of the Dac Lac Literature and Arts Association.

While strong minds and hands are typically needed to play the gong, the septugenarian women are able to hold their own, he said.

"Although the women's music is softer than their male counterparts, they are giving villagers a new taste in playing cong and chieng and their way has been received with warm enthusiasm by music researchers," Lan said.

He explained that Jho - Buon Trap stands for "a sweet music and more".

"We love playing gongs because it represents our love and passion for life and people. We want to bring fans the wonderful world of Tay Nguyen – where they can enjoy music that is creative and emotional," said H' Riu, head of the band.

H' Riu first fell in love with the melodies of cong and chieng when she was a little girl. She later gathered her five friends and formed Jho - Buon Trap.

Thanks to their performances after work, many songs of E De Bih people, including Drok tue (Welcome Guests) and Wak wei (Happy and New Harvest) have now become familiar among the youth.

"Our band prefers to play songs in praise of the country, family, women and children because their melodies are suitable to our performance style," said 70-year-old H' San, a member of the band.

"Winning the hearts of villagers is the most influential part of our life. It has encouraged us to continue with our music," she said.

H' San also said that it feels "weird and happy to be playing gongs the way we want to".

"Not only are all of the Jho - Buon Trap members talented, but through performing a different style of playing, they have become important personalities in the village," said Lan.

"The work of these artists is not simple. They are the only female band in the area to play gongs. They have to practice their skills and dance for several hours each week. They also have to learn how to keep their instrument's sounds strong, sweet and clear."

Youth support

H' Rut Y Ban, a 16-year-old Jho - Buon Trap fan, said: "Jho - Buon Trap's members are like our grandmothers who have introduced us to a fresh style of playing gongs. They are different from many professional bands and artists and we want to support them."

"I like the way women – who work hard everyday in their fields – express their emotions through their music," she added.

H' Rut is one of the band's young female students who believes the music of the Tay Nguyen people reflects more than their myths, legends and stories.

"Each ethnic group has its own way of playing gongs. I learned how my E De Bih people can represent their thinking through their music." — VNS

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Festival for farmer king

Kickin' it: During the festival a number of games were played to celebrate the martial spirit. — VNA/VNS Photo Phuong Hoa: During the festival a number of games were played to celebrate the martial spirit. — VNA/VNS Photo Phuong Hoa

HA NOI — Thousands of visitors flocked to Dong Da Hill in Ha Noi yesterday to celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi – Dong Da Victory.

The Dong Da festival takes place annually on the 5th day of the lunar first month. It is a festival organised in memory of King Quang Trung's great military victory.

Many new activities were included in this year's festivities. "The traditions of placing offerings, dragon dance and palanquin procession have been brushed up and given a new face," said Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, director of Dong Da Culture Park.

Performers from the Ha Noi traditional opera recreated the heroic story of King Quang Trung and his troops defeating invaders on the hill in 1789.

Quang Trung, a Tay Son farmer who later became a national hero, defeated more than 200,000 soldiers of the invading Qing army. Dong Da Hill became known as one of the nation's most glorious historical sites.

In the early morning of the festival, a procession for the historical event's celebration commenced at Khuong Thuong and ended at Dong Da Hill. The procession included flags, a processional parasol, palanquins in a variety of colours, and the sounds of gongs and drums.

During the festival a number of games were played to represent the martial spirit. Among them, the procession of Thang Long dragon was considered by many as the most original.

"The festival has become an essential part of the capital's culture. It's a way for people to remind themselves of the historical event and open the eyes of young people," said Tran Duc Hoc, chairman of Dong Da District People's Committee.

Authorities in the central province of Binh Dinh's Tay Son District – King Quang Trung's (Nguyen Hue) homeland – also attended the ceremony and gave speeches recalling the historic battle. — VNS

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UNICEF’s Photo of the Year features Vietnam girl

UNICEF Germany’s 2010 Photo of the Year features a 9-year-old Vietnamese girl struck with Agent Orange.

The winning photo, by America-based photojournalist Ed Kashi captures a slice of life of Nguyen Thi Ly, a third generation suffering from Agent Orange in the central province of Da Nang which was heavily affected by the War.

Born into a family infected with Agent Orange, Ly suffers from serious birth defects and deformities.

Bed ridden from birth, Ly only started learning to walk at the age of 5, first used her voice at 6, and went to school at 7, thanks to her family’s tireless effort to integrate her into life.

The winning photo featuring Ly

Ly’s mother is also a victim with poor health and a deformed face, who inherited Agent Orange damaged genes from her father.

It is not a rare story in a contaminated land which used to be an American base of operations where tons of Agent Orange were stored for defoliation missions like Danang.

Agent Orange contains dioxins that are known to cause cancer and damage genes. The effects of the toxic substance can be seen among Vietnamese people to this day: cancer, immune disorders and severe deformities.

Through a project for the non-governmental organization “Children of Vietnam” which supported Agent Orange victims, photographer Ed Kashi had come to live with Ly’s family for 4 days to make his photo series.

“Kashi excellently uses strong light and shadow effects to emphasize the longing of a disabled girl to lead a normal life”, said Jury Chairman Klaus Honnef, Art Historian and Journalist of the winning photo.

Despite her ill health, Ly has been doing well at school and received awards for satisfying performances.

With a defected lung, Ly has to endure pain for every breath she takes.

Her only wish is to be able to breathe normally.

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Human body is the best canvas for painting: artist

Artist Phuong Vu Manh (L) is painting on nude body of a model

Two illustrious body-painting artists Phuong Vu Manh and Ngo Luc discuss their love for and beauty of the art, which – like nude photography and body tattooing – is developing discreetly in conservative Vietnam.

As Manh hails from the northern capital of Hanoi and Luc from Ho Chi Minh City down south, the two’s viewpoints could be seen as representative of two regions and two styles.

Can you describe briefly what body painting is?

PVM: Body painting highlights the sympathy between human beings, between models and artists who combine together in their effort to seek perfect value.

NL: Body painting is the harmonious combination of human body, painting and sexual desire.

What are your ideas of the remark that it is more inspiring to paint on the body of a nude or semi-nude girl?

PVM: Not wrong. It’s a wonderful job to paint on the body of a nude girl because I can then express my ideas through the paintbrush and discuss with her – the model – about our perceptions of art, life as well as the outlook on politics and society.

You see, no canvas can bring me such feelings.

NL: To be frank, painting on a human body is inspiring and it’s even more so when you do it on the body of a person of the opposite sex.

If it’s the desire for sex, I will drop my brush.

What do you think about the idea that body painting is obscene?

PVM: Give them [critics] more info about the developments of body painting.

NL: I never think of it that way. Those who do think will not make that statement.

 

What is the difference of painting on a human body and on a canvas?

PVM: The best-ever canvas on earth is the human body and the body itself is the masterpiece of the Creator. And the artist just makes it look different with colors and patterns to display his/her perception.

NL: It’s much different. Human body is itself a wonderful work of art and the artist can just honor it.

A work of body painting can last for a couple of hours and then will be washed out. What do you think about its short life?

PVM: Body painting can actually survive longer with photography and filming. And I believe that in a not so far future, lovers of the art will search for collections of images of body painting.

In developed countries, an artist of body painting can earn from US$500 - US$5,000 by painting a piece of art. Some others work for media and advertisement firms with a handsome income of $1,000 an hour.

But it’s not the case in Vietnam now.

NL: The short-lived survival applies not only to body painting. For me, I make some small sum from body painting.

Do sponsors help?

PVM: My body painting events got sponsored. However, an artist needs their own work of art and then, I have to cover all costs.

NL: I see a clear border between doing a job to earn my livings and doing other things for my passion.

Anyway, you always need sponsors to be successful with body painting.

Do feelings of sexual sensation survive while you are painting on a body? And how does it help in making a great artwork?

PVM: I am a man and an artist. Either a man or an artist knows how to respect and honor natural beauty, especially the charming bodies of women. So both of the feelings intertwine to make up my feelings and urge me to draw.

But after a moment, I would forget I am a man and my feelings of an artist would rule until I complete my artwork.

NL: Nothing can stop sexual desire but it grows just only enough to make my feelings soar high and nothing more.

Artist Ngo Luc (R) is creating patterns on the body of a foreign model

 

You paint not only on men and women, but also on buffalos

PVM: It’s different to draw on the body of a buffalo. Its hairs are stiff and so you need more labor to make the ink adhere. And a buffalo can hardly understand you so you must understand him.

NL: For me, I like it best when I paint on the body of a woman.

Bio of artists Ngo Luc and Phuong Vu Manh Phuong Vu Manh, 42, graduated from the Hanoi Fine Art University in 1998 and has taken part in 40 exhibitions. Not only making body painting, he works on oil paintings, and lacquers. Ngo Luc, 32, graduated from the HCMC Fine Art University and becomes well known for his involvement in contemporary visual art.   A pattern created on model Hanh Quyen by artist Ngo Luc

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Sapa becomes Heaven on Earth during Tet

Both local and international tourists were dazzled when they witnessed miraculous sights in the Sapa tourism town in Lao Cai northern province during the first days of the lunar New Year of the cat.

Locals told Tuoi Tre that these picturesque scenes only appear on sunny days in Sapa, which was recently hit by a prolonged cold spell as temperatures dropped to minus 4 degrees Celsius.

Sapa is most beautiful in spring. Apricot, plum and cherry flowers are splendidly beautiful.

Markets are crowded and joyous, and are especially attractive to visitors. Minority groups come here to exchange and trade goods.

Following is a series of photos depicting Sapa’s fantastic landscape during two first days of the lunar New Year of the Cat:

 

 

Sa Pa is one of Vietnam 's top holiday and relaxation destinations at the height of 1,600m above sea level. The average temperature of the area is 15-18°C. It is cool in summer and cold in winter. Visitors to Sa Pa in the summer can feel the climate of four seasons in just one day. The best time to witness the scenic beauty of Sapa is in April and May. Before that period, the weather might be cold and foggy; after that period is the rainy season. In April and May, Sapa is blooming with flowers and green pastures. The clouds that settle in the valley in early morning quickly disappear into thin air. Sapa has many natural sites such as Ham Rong Mountain, Silver Waterfall, Rattan Bridge, Bamboo Forest and Ta Phin Cave. Sa Pa is also the starting point for many climbers and scientists who want to reach the top of Fansipan Mountain, the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143m. Fansipan is part of the Hoang Lien Mountain Range, also called the Alps of the North Sea area since Fansipan is not only the highest peak in Vietnam, but also in the Indochina Peninsula. The pyramid-shaped mountain is covered with clouds all year round and temperatures often drop below zero, especially at high elevations. Sapa is home to various families of flowers of captivating colours, which can be found nowhere else in the country.

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When the body is a work of art

Artist Ngo Luc is creating an artwork on the nude body of model Hanh Quyen

Body painting, a favorite art in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia, is slowly asserting its official status in conservative Vietnam after the art was debuted less than a year ago at the Hanoi-based French cultural center L’Espace.

It was only in March last year when nude or semi-nude models had their bodies painted with various patterns and colors to be presented to the public eye.

One month later, another official public display of body painting was held at an exhibition center at No 16 Ngo Quyen Street in Hanoi.

Previously, body painting events had been organized on a pilot and informal basis behind half-closed doors.

Despite its official status now, the art is yet to make its way into art school curricula in the nation, while artists performing the art are either amateurs or self-learners from documents on Internet.

Now, all exhibitions are held at places with limited entrance like a small gallery or a bar accommodating no more than 20 people.

Meanwhile, there are not that many body painting artists and they can be listed as Ngo Luc, Phuong Vu Manh, Dao Anh Khanh, Truong Tan, Bui Cong Khanh and Nhu Huy.

A local artist admitted that body painting in Vietnam is just in its embryonic period of development but will grow as lovers of the art are forming forums and clubs with an open-minded outlook.

Artist Phuong Vu Manh, 42, from Hanoi said he has organized over 30 shows of body painting to rave reviews from fans. Another artist Ngo Luc, 32, from Ho Chi Minh City has presented some 15.

 

A pattern created by artist Ngo Luc on model Kim Ngan

Recently, more and more young girls are willing to display their bare backs and hands painted with different colors and patterns as a way of self-assertion, according to Luc.

Body painting started in the 1930s but a strong revival took place in Western society in the 1960s, in part prompted by the liberalization of social mores regarding nudity.
Many World Body Painting Festivals have been held across the world for decades.

Nowadays, it is a favorite art in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia.

Followings are some other images of body painting by artist Ngo Luc:

 

 

Patterns on nude body of model Vinh Nghi

 

And on nude body of model Hanh Quyen

Model Lam Uyen

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Thousands gather for Dong Da fest

Thousands flocked to the Dong Da festival in Hanoi, aimed at marking the 222nd anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory.

This year’s fest will feature thurification and palanquin rituals with the participation of delegations from the capital’s districts of Thanh Tri and Thuong Tin and from Binh Dinh province.

The event is to commemorate the glorious feat of arms led by King Quang Trung (Nguyen Hue) against 29,000 Qing invaders in 1789.

The highlight of the program will see artists from Hanoi Traditional Opera Theatre performing an extract from the “Ngoc Han Cong Chua” play from which audience will have a chance to learn about the love between national hero Quang Trung and princess Ngoc Han.

Plays and dances re-enacting the victory will also be performed at the festival.

A series of art performances and traditional games such as dragon and gong dances, martial arts and human chess will also take place at the festival.

The victory of Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da went down in the nation’s history as an immortal epic of the struggle for national construction and defence.

The Dong Da Festival takes place annually on the 5th day of the Lunar New Year (Tet).

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