Inauguration of the "Bell Tower" project at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Delegates attending the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Minh Phu

At the ceremony, Chairwoman of the Hanoi Handicraft and Craft Village Association Ha Thi Vinh said: 15 years ago, on the occasion of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi, celebrating the Thang Long Imperial Citadel being recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, the Hanoi Handicraft and Craft Village Association was honored to present 3 sacred objects. These are: Bronze gong with a diameter of 2.01m; Bronze bell "Dai Hong chung Thang Long linh tu" weighing 3,470kg, 3.05m high, 1.650m in diameter; Large drum 3m high, drum face diameter 2.35m.

Chairwoman of the Hanoi Handicraft and Craft Village Association - Ha Thi Vinh spoke at the ceremony. Photo: Minh Phu

These sacred objects were all created by famous craft villages. These are precious treasures that members, businesses, artisans and people across the country respectfully offer to the shrine of the Ancestral Emperors at the sacred Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

The Organizing Committee honored the sponsors and recognized their golden hearts in the process of building the Bell Tower. Photo: Minh Phu

The organizing committee awarded the certificate to the Hanoi Handicraft and Craft Village Association. Photo: Minh Phu

Over the years, due to the effects of weather, the offerings: bells, drums and bell tower have degraded. Towards the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, the Association has submitted a document to the leaders of the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center asking for permission to conduct a survey and maintain the bells, drums, especially to build a new bell tower and has been approved.

The project was completed in 2 months with the most elite hands and minds of artisans and skilled workers who are members of the Hanoi Handicraft and Craft Village Association. The project was completed on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2.

Delegates perform the inauguration ceremony of the Bell Tower. Photo: Minh Phu

Empty Tower project. Photo: Minh Phu

At the inauguration ceremony, Ms. Ha Thi Vinh emotionally said: Hanoi is the land of hundreds of crafts, the world cultural heritage of Thang Long Imperial Citadel - a place that records the golden marks of the Capital and the whole country, a place that preserves not only historical memories but also the crystallization of national culture, including traditional craft villages. The restoration of bells, drums and the construction of the bell tower are a profound gesture of gratitude to the ancestors, demonstrating the spirit of solidarity and close attachment of the capital's craft village community, artisans, businesses and people to Thang Long - Hanoi with a thousand years of civilization.

At the ceremony, the Hanoi Handicraft and Craft Village Association transferred the project to the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center for receipt, management and use.

Deputy Director of the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center Nguyen Hong Chi spoke at the ceremony. Photo: Minh Phu

At the ceremony, Deputy Director of the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center Nguyen Hong Chi said: The bell tower is not only a work of aesthetic value, but also a sacred cultural and spiritual symbol, contributing to honoring the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage - World Cultural Heritage, fostering the pride and responsibility of today's generations in preserving and promoting the precious heritage of their ancestors.

The bell tower and the drum tower will become the highlight in the landscape space of the heritage. This is a very meaningful gift, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the value of traditional Vietnamese craft villages in general, and the world cultural heritage of the Central Area of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi in particular.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/khanh-thanh-cong-trinh-lau-chuong-tai-hoang-thanh-thang-long-713459.html