Exhibition “A Summer Folk Song”: Wandering through memories of youth
“I’m grateful that my work is part of this exhibition—but even more moving was the feeling of looking at the other artists’ pieces. It was as if I’d stepped straight back into childhood. The memories came rushing in—so vivid, so unexpectedly alive.”
This was how artist Ngô Ngọc Vương (Vuongo) described his experience at the opening of “A Summer Folk Song” – an exhibition that struck a chord with many visitors. In his series “Thèm như hồi đó” (cravings from back then), Vuongo depicts familiar childhood snacks such as ice cream bread rolls, pulled sugar candy, homemade yogurt, and powdered fruit treats. These simple images carry the power to stir personal memories—clear, tender, and surprisingly close.
The exhibition presents 50 illustration works by eight artists from different regions and generations, organized by the creative company TiredCity in collaboration with the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám. Each piece serves as a fragment of childhood, capturing moments like carefree afternoons, marbles after school, or summer noons listening to a grandmother’s stories.
Beyond nostalgia, the artworks offer a space for personal reflection, encouraging viewers to reconnect with memories that may have faded over time.
“A Summer Folk Song” takes place at Hồ Văn, the cultural space opposite the main gate of the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, a National Special Relic of Vietnam. Once a site for scholarly study, exams, and literary gatherings, Hồ Văn retains a quiet, contemplative atmosphere rarely found in the heart of Hanoi with its ancient trees, water features, and traditional architecture.
In this setting, childhood stories are told through images. The environment deepens the emotional resonance of the works, inviting viewers not only to recall the past, but to truly step back and relive it.
“A Summer Folk Song” display area. Source: Organizer
An illustration of the traditional marble game on display at the exhibition. Source: Organizer
The exhibition has drawn the interest of many young artists and visitors who are passionate about culture and the arts. The atmosphere at the event is calm and intimate, filled with quiet conversations among friends and families, as well as moments of silent reflection in front of the artworks. In this space, childhood memories, though deeply personal, become a shared language for connection and storytelling.
The young participated in folk games at the exhibition. Source: Organizer
The illustration exhibition “A Summer Folk Song” opens the door into collective memory where adults can momentarily set aside the worries of everyday life, tune in to the voices of their younger selves, and reconnect with what was once familiar and close to the heart.
Exhibition Information:
Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM | Now until July 31, 2025
Venue: Hồ Văn, part of the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám National Special Relic Site (opposite the main gate), 58 Quốc Tử Giám Street, Đống Đa District, Hanoi.
Source:
https://hanoionline.vn/lon-ke-chuyen-be-tro-ve-tuoi-tho-qua-nhung-net-ve-341859.htm