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| Even small children are eager to get calligraphic works hoping for a successful year at school. |
Viet Nam News
Thousands of people have been flocking to Van Mieu (Literature Temple) in downtown Ha Noi during the lunar New Year to ask for calligraphy created by scholars to hang at home for good luck, and as home decorations.
People of various ages, especially students, have spent hours queueing to ask scholars to draw characters they request. Characters such as happiness, success, health, wealth and luck are among the most sought after.
Scholars are now busy because of the great demand for their works.
The Literature Temple hosts the Imperial Academy (Quoc Tu Giam), Viet Nam’s first national university. It was built in 1070 under the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong (1054-1072). The temple is located to the south of Thang Long Citadel.
Before and during the lunar New Year, calligraphists gather outside the temple and write wishes in Han (Chinese script) and Nom (Vietnamese ideographic script) characters. These works of art are given away as gifts, or are used as home decorations on special occasions. — VNS Photos Manh Hoang
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| Various souvernirs themed lunar New Year are available at the site. |
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| Calligraphic works are wishes for new year and home decorations as well. |
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| An old man and his granddaughter, a high school student, get a desired character. |
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| Scholar Nguyen Duc Dung (right), like other calligraphers at the site, is busy these days but he said he felt happy. |
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| People can buy ready-to-take calligraphic works at a shop at the site. |
OVietnam