UNLOCKING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY LIFE
01/01/2022 Events
On December 25, 2021, within the framework of Unleashing Creativity Week was held a talk “Urban Heritage – Maintenance and continuation development”. It’s an honour for the talk to have the participation of Architect, Professor Dr. Hoang Dao Kinh; Master, Architect Pham Tuan Long – Chairman of the Hoàn Kiếm District People’s Committee; and heritage architect Nguyen Hoang Phương – Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board.
The talk was organized for three main purposes: Dissemination the work having been done by the heritage architects in the past time; Spread of the importance of the heritage that must be preserved to the community; The ways to preserve and develop the heritage left by the previous generation
Within the framework of the Unleashing Creativity Week, the talk is also an activity of the Hanoi Architects Association and the Heritage Architects Branch of Association, towards the Hanoi Architects Congress that is going to take place on January 8, 2021.
The talk: “Urban Heritage – Maintenance and continuation” is divided into three sections. Section 1: “Urban Heritage – Abstract of the continuation” hosted by Architect, Professor Dr. Hoang Dao Kinh. Section 2: The role of the community in heritage preservation presented by Master, Architect Pham Tuan Long – Chairman of the Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee. Section 3: Restoration of the Old Quarter – Revitalization of old spaces presented by Heritage architect Nguyen Hoang Phuong – Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board.
In the first section, Professor Hoang Dao Kinh explained the concepts: Monuments, urban heritage and proper behaviour to urban heritages. Besides, he also made a clear opinions for making heritages live and develop in contemporary life.
Cities are the pinnacle of community civilization. Urban heritage has been existing for a long time. Historically, cities have owned assets – the legacy of the past, whether big or small. Only by retaining the past material and spiritual value will each city maintain, retain, preserve and strengthen its own appearance, soul, unique identity, and ego. Especially, the city can still maintains its natural flow, keeps the growing from being interrupted by any reasons, even when urban life always happens. Even in the rapid development of our era now, any city still keep its natural flow within the natural selection, it will keep its firm position in the fierce urban competition.
Hanoi is an urban area that owns a lot of heritage such as the old quarter, the French colonial area, the old Hanoi with ancient villages, … though the ancient architecture of the Vietnamese people is not big and monumental. The art of creating scenes in Vietnam is harmonious and soft; it fully exploits and promotes a refined and subtle combination of natural factors and man-made things. The beauty of Hanoi can be found in the subtle blend between the western and local quarters, the harmony of the natural landscape combined with the background of ancient villages and rivers.
Heritage in cities is like living things and have a life of their own. Therefore, we should treat these heritages properly and unlock them to become a part of modern life. Our life and the flow should not limited. Heritage should not be treated as an artifact in a museum. For example, Cantonese Assembly Hall at 22 Hang Buom is a work in the past proving the symbiosis of different communities, and the cultural symbiosis. So, by converting the use values in a proper and civilized way as today, we will preserve the cultural symbiosis, and at the same time we keep that developing in contemporary life.
In the next two parts of the talk, Master, Architect Pham Tuan Long – Chairman of the Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee, raises the role of the government and the community in heritage conservation. Hoan Kiem District is known for its specialized architecture which brings advantages to planning. As oriented, the neglected and forgotten relics will be renovated and converted into cultural and creative spaces for the community. Then, on the one hand, reducing the population density, on the other hand, creating a common living space for that area.
Heritage architect Nguyen Hoang Phuong shared very useful information about the work “Renovating the Old Quarter – Revitalizing the old spaces” with the works that have been successfully embellished in recent years. There are Ta Hien Quarter, Lan Ong Street, No. 50 Dao Duy Tu, Fujian Assembly Hall and the latest Cantonese Assembly Hall at 22 Hang Buom becomes the center of culture and art. As for the work at 22 Hang Buom, the renovation team has renovated the architecture and the function so that the building can be used in life. Fortunately, when the project was just completed, the space in the building is used for exhibitions, talks and special performance events of Architecture Magazine and artists.
At the end of the talk, the guests and the audience enthusiastically shared their feelings and opinions when coming to Art Center at 22 Hang Buom. Witnessing an architectural heritage work being treated properly, preserved and revitalized without losing its identity and ego, many audience shared their “surprise, overwhelmed feeling” and “admiration”. Art Center at 22 Hang Buom used to be a place of connection and interference of East-West culture, architecture and art. Now being revitalized, It opens a new life flow in the lively Hanoi; it becomes an open creative space that inspires indigenous individuals and communities. Hopefully the next heritage works will be used and renovated properly like the Art Center at 22 Hang Buom./
By Chii Nguyen for Creativity Week
Photo: Provided by the Organizer
Please cite the source when sharing the article
Do not copy in part or verbatim without permission