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Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan (right) receives a flag from FIAP President Emile Wandersheid yesterday in Ha Noi. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhat Anh |
HA NOI — The 30th congress of the International Federation of Photographic Arts (FIAP), currently being held in Viet Nam, is a good chance for Vietnamese and international photographers to exchange and learn from each other, Vu Quoc Khanh, president of the Viet Nam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA), said yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan attended the opening ceremony and confirmed the Vietnamese Government's support for photography. He also expressed his great appreciation for VAPA and the development of national photography.
"I believe that through the congress, the delegates will be aware of Vietnamese people and their solidarity and friendship with people throughout the world," he said.
"Photographers help the world get closer to Viet Nam."
During the congress, international photographers will visit historical relics, Bat Trang Village in Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh and the ancient capital Hoa Lu in the northern province of Ninh Binh.
The visitors will also bring images of Viet Nam to the world. The foreign delegates will contribute three to five photos that will be printed in a picture book.
"We will see Viet Nam's people and landscape through the lenses of foreigners," Khanh said.
"When we mention Vietnamese photographic destinations worthy of a visit, representatives who have travelled to Ha Long Bay and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu expressed their willingness and excitement to return," Khanh said.
At the first day's sessions, the congress met and voted for the reinstatements of Belarus, Mexico, Haiti, Bangladesh and Brunei.
Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo and Liechtenstein were added as new FIAP affiliations.
The congress discussed FIAP services such as biennials, collections and the FIAP website.
Delegates also voted for the next Directory Board for the 2010-12 term.
Directory Board election results were announced at the end of yesterday's session. Emile Wanderscheid will keep his office as FIAP President and Riccardo Busi will continue on as General Secretary for one more term. Jacky Martin from France, a member of the Directory Board, was voted in as Vice President.
An exhibition of 104 photos by 90 Vietnamese photographers from around the country is being held during the congress at the Sofitel Plaze Hotel, Ha Noi, the congress venue. The photos have won national and international awards, and many among them have also won FIAP prizes.
The congress will run until Sunday. This is the third time the FIAP congress is being held in an Asian country after China hosted it two times previously. — VNS