Exhibition of Artifacts from Hanoi and Toulouse

An interdisciplinary team of experts, including archaeologists, historians, architects, designers, and museum scholars, has joined forces to create an exhibition exploring and showcasing the latest developments in heritage research and presentation.

Administrator

16 April, 2023

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Visitors to the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi, Vietnam, are being treated to a remarkable exhibition of priceless antiquities from both Toulouse, France, and Hanoi. The exquisite pieces on display offer a unique glimpse into the culture and history of both nations, providing an unforgettable experience for all who attend. From ancient coins and sculpture to pottery and jewelry, the collection is a testament to the artistry and skill of the artisans who created these beautiful works of art centuries ago. The exhibition is a perfect opportunity for locals and tourists alike to appreciate the shared heritage of two countries, and to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural connections between them. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for something interesting to do, this is an experience you won’t want to miss!

On April 13th, the event “From the Underground to the Museum: A Journey of Artifacts” opened its doors, drawing attention to the commonalities between Toulouse and Hanoi’s efforts to preserve their cultural heritage. By showcasing artifacts from the two cities, the event allowed visitors to explore the shared history and appreciate the distinct historical legacies of each location.

The exhibition, organized by the Hanoi People’s Committee in cooperation with the Toulouse City Government and the French Development Agency (AFD), is part of the 12th Vietnam-France Decentralization Conference taking place from April 14-16. It provides an opportunity to explore the deep connection and shared history of cooperation between the two cities, as well as promote the conservation of cultural heritage and UNESCO heritage sites.

Artifacts on display at the exhibition. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

The exhibition explores the various facets of heritage research and presentation, with specialized input from experts in archeology, history, architecture, design, and museum studies. Visitors will gain an in-depth understanding of the processes used to uncover, interpret, and present heritage information for public consumption.

Hanoi and Toulouse have an opportunity to build a shared and sustainable future. By promoting the value of UNESCO heritage sites, they can foster intercultural dialogue and understanding, as well as stimulate economic growth. Furthermore, by promoting heritage values, from archaeological excavations to museums, cities can draw on the power of their past to contribute to a more prosperous future.

Hanoi and Toulouse have an extraordinary opportunity to collaborate on building a shared and sustainable future. By recognizing and promoting the value of UNESCO heritage sites, the cities can foster intercultural dialogue and understanding and also stimulate economic growth. Moreover, by emphasizing heritage values, from archaeological excavations to museums, the cities can leverage the power of their past to create a more prosperous future.

Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Vu Thu Ha, has emphasized the deep-rooted connection between the two vibrant cities of Hanoi and Toulouse in terms of their urban heritage. She noted that both cities have been capitals of their respective regions or countries for centuries, and continue to be proud of that legacy.

In the near future, Hanoi is hoping to enter into various collaborative projects spanning multiple sectors, particularly culture, tourism, and heritage,” the official declared.

The two cities have initiated several projects, such as the restoration of the main entrance of the Citadel and the restoration of the Northern Gate in 2017. Furthermore, in 2019, the project was extended to the restoration of the South Gate.

Since 2016, the new partnership between Hanoi and Toulouse has focused on preserving the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a thousand-year-old heritage that has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. To this end, the two cities have initiated several projects, such as the restoration of the main entrance of the Citadel in 2017 and the Northern Gate in 2019. Additionally, the project was recently extended to include the restoration of the South Gate.

A visitor at the exhibition. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

This is an ideal location to foster collaboration in the management of archaeological heritage, which includes architectural monuments, artifacts, and museological approaches.

Launched in 2020, the Vietnam-France Technical Assistance Initiative seeks to protect and develop the value of the unique urban heritage and archaeological treasures of the Thang Long Citadel. Moreover, it works to improve the overall management tools of the citadel, upgrade the qualifications of the center’s staff, develop a sustainable development plan for the site in accordance with UNESCO standards, and promote Toulouse’s heritage management knowledge.

Toulouse Deputy Mayor Jean-Claude Dardelet highlighted the effective cooperation between Toulouse and Hanoi in many fields, particularly in heritage conservation. “Each heritage has its own unique value and meaning. The management board of Thang Long Imperial Citadel should strive to develop conservation initiatives in order to generate economic and tourism values,” he said.

In order to effectively conserve and promote heritage, it is important to focus on training human resources and implementing project results. This will ensure that the content remains as high-quality as possible and that the HTML code is retained.