Journey Melody in Art

The event was held on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation, demonstrating the depth of the decades-long cultural and educational relationship between the two countries.

Attending the opening ceremony on July 23 were General Secretary To Lam's wife, Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly; Alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van; and Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi.

On the Russian side, there were Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia Andrey Malayshev; Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko; Head of the Information and Press Department, Spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova; Director of the Russian Academy of Arts Vasily Tsereteli.

Journey melody in art - photo 2 — Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh and delegates visiting the Exhibition

In his opening speech, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam Le Hai Binh emphasized the outstanding achievements of the 75-year journey of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, including the positive contributions from the foundation of profound cultural cooperation, as well as the lasting friendship bridges in the exchange between the people of Vietnam and Russia.

According to Permanent Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh, the exhibition “Teacher – Student: Melody of the Journey” shows the solidarity, the tireless efforts from the past to the present and the people of the two countries are continuing to build for the future.

Quoting the Russian proverb “A teacher is a second father to every person”, Permanent Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh affirmed that the Vietnam-Russia teacher-student relationship has been, is and will continue to create a close bond and loyal affection between Vietnam and Russia.

Expressing gratitude to the Russian Ministry of Culture, the Russian Academy of Arts, Russian teachers and friends, Permanent Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh said that the initiative to organize the exhibition shows the harmony between the traditional values of Vietnamese and Russian culture, the teacher-student relationship between artistic values with the unique characteristics of each culture, as well as the absorption and creativity of Vietnamese students who learned from Russian teachers.

Journey melody in art - photo 3 — The exhibition displays about 90 works of painting, graphics, sculpture and decorative arts by artists of many generations.

Speaking at the exhibition, Russian Deputy Minister of Culture Andrey Malyshev emphasized the importance of cooperation in creative training between the two countries, which has been widely implemented for a long time, and today has formed a "path" of art as the name of the exhibition "Teacher - Student". The exhibition is a vivid demonstration of the strong friendship and cooperation between the two peoples, and at the same time shows the exchange and closeness between the two cultures.

The exhibition displays about 90 paintings, graphics, sculptures and decorative arts by artists of many generations – from the great names in the Soviet and Russian fine arts, to Vietnamese students who have studied at Russian art academies since 1962. The exhibition is a tribute to the sacred relationship between teacher and student – a continuous spiritual and moral journey.

Vietnam's national fine arts were formed over many centuries under the influence of historical factors, indigenous traditions, terrain and the nation's unique aesthetic sensibilities.

The establishment of the Indochina College of Fine Arts in 1925 in Hanoi was an important milestone in bringing Western art, especially oil painting on canvas, to Vietnamese artists. In just two decades of existence (1925–1945), the school trained 48 painters and 7 sculptors, many of whom became great names, contributing to laying the foundation for modern Vietnamese fine arts.

However, the historical context of the resistance war and the national liberation movement required a new art form, close to the people and bearing national identity. The August Revolution of 1945, together with the victory of independence, aroused the deep interest of artists and writers in traditional artistic heritage – from silk paintings, lacquer paintings to folk decorative techniques.

Soon after the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1950 and signed educational and cultural agreements, many Vietnamese students were sent to study in the Soviet Union. They were the bridge between the two cultures and also a living proof of the achievements of the bilateral cooperation policy.

A special highlight of the exhibition is the display of five works by painter, People's Artist Ngo Manh Lan, father of Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly - one of the first Vietnamese students to study in the Soviet Union since the 1960s.

After years of studying in the Soviet Union, Mr. Ngo Manh Lan became a great animator and a respected teacher of many generations of students. Many Vietnamese children grew up with famous animated films by People's Artist Ngo Manh Lan such as The Adventures of a Cricket (1959), Cat's New Year (1970), Talking Starling (1970) and other works.

Touched by the affection and respect from Russia for the delegation, for the works of generations of Vietnamese artists in general and the works of painter Ngo Manh Lan in particular, Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly affirmed that the exhibition is a testament to the friendship between Russian and Vietnamese teachers and students, it vividly reflects the Vietnam-Russia friendship, and at the same time shows good results in training cooperation in general, and art training between the two countries in particular.

The Lady emphasized that our mission is to continue this flow to step together strongly into the future of the two countries whose beautiful histories have connected us through many generations. The Lady also expressed her sincere thanks in the guestbook at the Academy.

Art lovers who cherish the Vietnam-Russia friendship can admire the artworks that blend the devoted guidance of Russian teachers and the receptiveness and creativity of Vietnamese students until September 28, 2025 at the Russian Academy of Arts, Moscow.

On the afternoon of July 25, 2025, Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly will attend and cut the ribbon to open the Vietnamese Cultural Festival at Red Square, Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/giai-dieu-hanh-trinh-trong-nghe-thuat-155781.html