Sri Lanka in Ha Noi: A cultural fiesta

For the first time in Viet Nam, the Embassy of Sri Lanka launched a three-day Cultural Fiesta in Ha Noi to commemorate 70th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka as well as 48 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Viet am.

The event was a collaboration with Women’s Museum in Ha Noi and supported by the Ha Noi, Small and Medium Enterprises Association. 

The exhibition featured paintings on Sri Lankan theme by famous Vietnamese artist Van Duong Thanh, sketches of Sri Lankan artist Vasantha Perera, a collection of Sri Lankan paintings depicting Sri Lankan temple art and modern art, photographs of international award winning Sri Lankan photographer Ravi Ranasinghe, photographs depicting bilateral relations, Sri Lankan food and beverages, free food sampling, saree draping, Sri Lankan documentary film screening, Sri Lankan product stalls of handicrafts and handloom-made items and crafts, batik, gem and jewellery, etc. 

A special feature was that exhibition had selected photographs of residents of Viet Nam, who have visited Sri Lanka, including Vietnamese and expats. Many ambassadors and other diplomats as well as expats were present. 

Highlighting the bilateral cooperation, products of Small and Medium enterprises of Viet Nam, including crafts of disabled female entrepreneur Thuong Nguyen Thi Thu were available.  

The Opening Ceremony was graced by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, who was on an official visit to Viet Nam. From Vietnamese side Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Van Thao, Ambassador of Viet Nam to Sri Lanka Pham Thi Bich Ngoc, Director of Viet Nam Women’s Museum Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Ha Noi Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Dr. Mac Quoc Anh, President of Viet Nam Intellectual Women’s Association Prof. Thi Tran Chu, Vice Chair Woman of Viet Nam Women’s Union Thi Tuyet were present.

During the inaugural address Speaker Jayasuriya, spoke about 48 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lankan and Viet Nam highlighting the friendship between the two countries in modern times with strong support from Sri Lankans towards the independence struggle in Viet Nam, the three visits of the Late Leader Ho Chi Minh to Sri Lanka and the fact that the only statue of a foreign dignitary other than the colonial rulers in a public places, being that of Late President Ho Chi Minh, stands as testimony of strong Sri Lanka admiration of the founding father of Viet Nam. 

He emphasised on the importance of bilateral cooperation, not just in political and economic spheres, but also at people-to-people level in the form of cultural diplomacy, such as the cultural fiesta to make people know more about each other’s country. 

He invited Vietnamese Ambassador to Colombo Pham Thi Bich Ngoc to organised similar events to promote Viet Nam and Sri Lanka which would too reciprocate with maximum support. He further mentioned of gifting the Relics of the Lord Buddha as well as the request for a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree. Addressing the gathering, Assistant Minster Nguyen Van Thao, appreciated the organising of such an event to promote cultural cooperation which leads to understanding among people. 

Speaking on the occasion Director of Viet Nam Women’s Museum Nguyen Thi Bich Van expressed her pleasure for being able to offer the premises for the event and opportunity for collaboration. 

Ambassador Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake thanked all the collaborators for their support, including the Viet Nam Women’s Museum, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Ha Noi Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Artist Van Duong Thanh and Writer Di Li, Sri Lankan community in Viet Nam including students, Dilmah Tea, Coco Cola Beverages Viet Nam as well as specially all those who braved the bad weather and attended the inauguration.

Thereafter, Sri Lankan refreshments and tea were served and the special guests and all other invitees visited the exhibitions. 

The travel book ‘Sun Rise in Sahara’, which has a chapter on Sri Lanka written by famous Vietnamese writer Di Li was launched at the event. It has also covered other countries like Morocco, Spain, Portugal and Japan. Di Li was on a four-day visit in Sri Lanka in January this year and her visit was facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ha Noi with the assistance of Delux Vacation Ltd. of Sri Lanka.