Talkshow “Local Essence: From Concept to Canvas” – When Local Identity Meets Contemporary Creativity
More than 50 young art enthusiasts attended the talk show “Local Essence: From Concept to Canvas” at the Hanoi Creative Hub Coordination Center on the morning of May 31. The event was part of the illustration competition “Local Essence,” jointly organized by UNESCO, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, and the Vietnam Local Artist Group – a community of young illustrators.
Artist X.Lan at the talk show “Local Essence: From Concept to Canvas” (Credit: Organizers)
The discussion was led by illustrator X.Lan, renowned for her nostalgic storytelling style. She is the co-author of the book “199 mấy – Hồi ấy làm gì?” (“The 1990s – What Did We Do Then?”) and the founder of the Vietnam Local Artists Group. Through her seasoned perspective, the talk provided young participants with practical insights on how to tap into local culture and navigate common technical challenges in illustration, painting, and design.
In a warm and open atmosphere, artist X.Lan shared valuable experiences on choosing themes, handling composition and color, and, most notably, how to breathe new life into traditional materials to express local identity vividly. The lively Q&A session transformed the talk into a vibrant art class, where attendees were inspired to share cultural stories through their visual language.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Pham Thi Lan Anh, Head of the Heritage Management Department of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, expressed her support for initiatives that foster youth creativity and emphasized, “Young people are a fresh and powerful force in the journey to preserve heritage and develop the local and national creative industries.”
Ms. Pham Thi Lan Anh speaking at the event (Credit: Organizers)
Part of UNESCO’s EMPLEMENT! Project, the “Local Essence” competition offers a platform for young people passionate about illustration, painting, and design. Each artwork submitted becomes a cultural narrative of a specific region, conveyed through creative and refined brushstrokes, adding richness to the contemporary map of Vietnamese identity. Both the EMPLEMENT! project and the “Local Essence” competition align with the National Strategy for the Development of Cultural Industries and the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism Development toward 2030.
Through UNESCO’s “Creative Cities Network” and “World Heritage” initiatives in Vietnam, the competition aims to strengthen local connectivity and maximize community benefits. It empowers the next generation of creatives not only to make art but also to contribute to sustainable national development through culture and the arts.
The organizers shared: “Vietnamese culture is a mosaic of diverse identities. With a desire to gather and spread the unique cultural beauty of every land,” the “Local Essence” illustration competition welcomes original ideas from visual artists across various forms, including painting, illustration, and design. The total prize pool exceeds 80 million VND, including 3 Outstanding Work Awards, 23 Notable Work Awards, 1 Popular Vote Award, 5 Promising Work Awards, and 3 Best Collaboration Awards. Submissions are open until June 16, 2025.