Besides checking in at miniature landscapes and enjoying cultural shows, going to museums across Da Nang to experience the atmosphere of the traditional Tet holiday or immersing in the colorful world of paintings are interesting entertainment options for locals and tourists on the special holiday.

People and children making 'banh chung' at the programme "Tet Market Fair" organized by the Museum of Da Nang. Photo: X.D

Enjoying paintings about cats in Lunar New Year of Cat

In the bustling atmosphere of the first days of the new year, a fine arts exhibition entitled ‘Colours of Year of the Cat 2023’ is taking place at the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum, 78 Le Duan Street, from January 14 - February 12.

The exhibition features about 40 works of arts by local painters in diverse materials such as oil, synthetic charcoal, watercolours, and more. Most of the displayed paintings take the inspiration from the cat because 2023 is Year of the Cat, contributing to creating a highlight in the series of cultural and artistic activities during the upcoming Lunar New Year.

Painter Tran Van Tam whose two works arts ‘Cat and fish’ and ‘Still life of cats’ are on display at the exhibition, said both of his works were made at the end of December 2022. In particular, the common point of the two paintings is that they are both made with acrylic material and have 2 cats in one frame. At the same time, they are presented with fresh colours, bringing a vibrant and bold overall look.

“These paintings are like a Lunar New Year wish that the family is always reunited and happy together. Meanwhile, other details are also wishes for everyone in the year of the Cat of always being peaceful, and full of blessings and happiness” he added.

Regularly spending time composing on the theme of spring and the zodiac, artist Nguyen Thi Dao also participates in this year’s exhibition with 2 works of art themed ‘Sleep Well’ and ‘Sen’.

In particular, the work ‘Sleep Well’ depicts the image of a cat sleeping soundly next to a wooden chair, representing a peaceful and warm scene. The extra details in the picture also make the viewer think of the scenery of the Vietnamese countryside with the items and images associated with farmers. This is also a feature of artist Nguyen Thi Dao's drawing style, giving viewers a feeling of closeness and familiarity.

“There are many works about cats in the past, so artists have to exploit them from a new angle, not following the path of previous compositions, but still retaining the traditional elements so as not to be unfamiliar to viewers. On the other hand, cat is a very agile, intelligent and close to humans. Therefore, composing cat paintings in the year of the Cat also means wishing everyone a smooth and happy lunar new year" artist Nguyen Thi Dao added.

According to Deputy Director of the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum Nguyen Thi Trinh, the annual exhibition on the theme of spring and the zodiac has become a trademark of the city's fine arts, thereby contributing to meeting the entertainment needs of fine arts lovers.

In order to enliven and enrich cultural and entertainment activities during the forthcoming traditional Tet holiday, the museum organizes a number of experiential activities such as making a Tet calendar themed about cats and spring, colouring statues of cats, and printing Dong Ho folk paintings.  

Furthermore, there is a check-in space with the theme "Lunar New Year of the Cat" at the museum in order for people and visitors to save beautiful moments with family, relatives and friends when visiting the museum on the occasion.

Experiencing traditional Tet in heart of the city

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, the Museum of Da Nang organizes a series of activities for visitors to experience.

Mrs. Ho Thi Hong Thanh residing in Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau District, said over the past years, the museum-hosted Tet experience activities are very rich and attractive, helping people feel the bustling atmosphere of spring. She added this is also a useful opportunity for children to experience, have fun and gain more understanding about the traditional Tet culture of the nation.

This year, the museum will organise the programme ‘Early Spring Festival’ with many interesting and attractive activities on January 28 and 29 (the 7^th and 8^th days of the first lunar month).

Visitors to the programme will be immersed in the joyful and colorful scenery of the new spring, as well as directly participate in activities to experience the traditional Tet. Included will be asking for letters - writing at the beginning of the new lunar year, making paper firecrackers, and checking in Tet space decorated like in the 80s and 90s.

“Currently, the museum is actively preparing the conditions, products, decorations materials for the programme, ensuring timely progress and bringing it to the audience", Mrs. Phan Thi Xuan Mai, Head of the museum’s Education and Communications Office, informed.

According to Director of the Museum of Da Nang Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien, spring is the season when people eagerly go to festivals to wish a happy new lunar year. This is also a hobby and cultural beauty of his father from thousands of years ago.

The upcoming programme aims to help local residents and tourists experience the atmosphere of the ancient Lunar New Year, and educate the younger generation about the beauty of traditional Vietnamese culture.

"This activity also contributes to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of the nation, meeting the people's healthy entertainment needs during the coming Tet and spring holidays," Thien emphasized.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG - Translating by M.DUNG