Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the event (Photo: TITC)

Giving his opening remark, Dr. Le Xuan Kieu - Director of the Center for Scientific and Cultural  Activities of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam said, the thematic exhibition “Dragon images on Doctors’ steles” is organised to bring visitors new discoveries about the dragon motifs on 82 Doctors’ Steles of Thang Long which are being kept and preserved at the special national relic of Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam.

The works are presented on the principle of respecting the original lines on the Doctor's stele, thereby helping visitors visualise more clearly the talent and skill of the stone craftsmen who devoted their hearts to creating truly impressive sculptures.

Dr. Le Xuan Kieu - Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities speaking at the ceremony (Photo: TITC)

“This is not only a valuable archive of documents about the history, culture, society and education of Vietnam during the feudal period, but also unique works of visual art, where stone artisans entrust many meaningful messages”, stressed Dr. Le Xuan Kieu.

Among the countless decorative motifs present on the front and edges of the steles, dragon images always occupy a very solemn place. Being the first in the group of four sacred animals (dragon, unicorn, turtle and phoenix), the dragon is till considered a prominent and noble representative reserved for emperors. Therefore, the dragon image appears primarily on the front of the stele - the most solemn part - and is often depicted as a pair of dragons honouring the sun surrounded by fiery clouds.

The dragon's changing shapes through the stages will be recreated in the exhibition "Dragon images on Doctors’ steles" to bring visitors unexpected discoveries about the incredible aesthetic values ​​of the stone historical records about the royal examination tradition at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam.

Mr. Truong Quoc Toan - Representative of the Exhibition Implementation Group speaking at the ceremony (Photo: TITC)

Mr. Truong Quoc Toan - representative of the implementation team shared, the works at the exhibition "Dragon images on Doctors’ steles" are conveyed in a contemporary and highly graphic way, with the desire to bring viewers a closer feeling to the Doctors steles heritage.

Thematic exhibition "Dragon images on Doctors’ steles" takes place from 31st July to 26th August 2024 at Thai Hoc Hall, the special national relic Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam.

A number of photos at the Opening Ceremony:

Delegates attending the ceremony (Photo: TITC)

The exhibition space (Photo: TITC)

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