The art of embroidery evokes memories of a time

The event is part of the exhibition "Cua Nam giao hoa" celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, while contributing to promoting the development of cultural industry in the area, creating a creative environment for the community and artists.

Community event “Thread of Time”. Photo: Hong Nhung

Memories of a traditional activity

According to artist Pham Ngoc Tram - the initiator and curator of the project - embroidery is not only a traditional craft activity, but also a memory story of a time when women in the family still maintained this job.

“Through the project, I want to evoke beautiful memories of the daily life of Vietnamese people, when mothers and wives worked hard to embroider and sew. Those seemingly small things have become a part of the common memory of Hanoi in particular and Vietnamese people in general,” she shared.

The art space “Needle and Thread” held at Dong Khanh Secondary School – the first girls’ school in the North during the French colonial period – also has a special meaning. Here, in addition to cultural subjects, female students are also trained in women’s skills such as embroidery, sewing, cooking, and household management.

Artist Pham Ngoc Tram shares at the event. Photo: Hong Nhung.

The event consisted of two parts: Art Talk “Vietnamese embroidery and the story of Dong Khanh girls’ school” presented by artist Pham Ngoc Tram, and a sharing session by artisan Vu Thi Tue (Van Lam embroidery village, Ninh Binh). The public experienced a classic French embroidery class - part of the home economics education program during the French colonial period - under the direct guidance of two artisans. Participants were able to make their first embroidery stitches, feeling the meticulousness and sophistication of the traditional craft.

Ms. Hong Nhung, a participant in the experience, shared: “My grandmother and mother’s generation were all good at embroidery and sewing. In the past, people could embroider pillows and everyday clothes. Nowadays, most young people do not know how to embroider, so when I get to practice this technique, I really like it.”

Preserving and renewing cultural heritage

“The thread of time” not only evokes family and community memories through each stitch, but also creates opportunities for the public, especially the young, to access, experience and appreciate the value of traditional crafts. This is proof that heritage “lives” when preserved, passed on and renewed with creativity and passion.

Embroidery products introduced at the event. Photo: Hong Nhung.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hoan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Cua Nam Ward, said: "The project not only connects heritage with contemporary art, but also contributes to turning cultural capital into specific products such as heritage tours, creative spaces, and local-branded handicraft products. We aim to build many creative cultural spaces, representing the thousand-year-old humanistic values of the Capital."

Painter Nguyen The Son, curator of the exhibition “Hoa Hoa Cua Nam”, said that the project shows that traditional art is the creative practice of artists, contributing to awakening the heritage space and evoking emotions for the young generation.

According to Artisan Vu Thi Tue, she expressed her wish that embroidery continue to be preserved and promoted in craft villages: “Embroidery is not only a manual operation, but also an art form containing cultural and historical values. Therefore, state management agencies need to communicate so that young people are proud of being born in craft villages, thereby continuing to contribute to and preserve the heritage of their homeland.”

In the future, “Thread of Time” will continue to implement a series of activities aimed at the heritage-loving community, including a discussion on the application of embroidery art in community connection; an exhibition of embroidery artifacts made by the people, vividly recreating the life of memories in the heart of Hanoi. At the end of the series of activities, the project will have an exhibition introducing embroidery heritage to the international public.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nghe-thuat-theu-goi-nho-ky-uc-mot-thoi-712593.html