The Asian National Museums Association (ANMA) was formed in 2007 to aim at speeding up the exchange and co-operation among national museums in Asia.
The Vietnam National Museum of History (VNMH) is one foundation member of ANMA and inaugurated to chair ANMA in 2012 - 2013 and to host the ANMA 4th Conference in October 2013 in Hanoi.
To prepare for the ANMA 4, the VNMH has launched some promotional activities. On 15-9-2013, a talk focused on the topic “ASEAN cultures in Asia” was held at VNMH as the first event to introduce about ASEAN cultures. It has drawn the attention of many people.
The talk’s backdrop
Attending the talk are young people, students, reporters, university lecturers and VNMH officers.
Students attending the talk
Dr. Nguyen Duy Thieu - Deputy Director of the Vietnamese Museum of Ethnology is the guest and speaker of the talk.
He has presented an overall introduction about Asian cultures in 3 regions including Confucianism in Northeast Asia, Hinduism and Theravada (Buddhism) in Southwest Asia, and the “agricultural lifestyle” with the agricultural ceremonies and ancestor worshipping rituals.
Dr. Thieu speaking at the talk
According to Thieu, ASEAN cultures are diversified but similar in many aspects: People make the living mainly with wet rice, husbandry, fishery, handicrafts. They inhabit mainly in the delta, valley and the midland. The common arts are water puppet, folk music. The family traditions are treasured including respecting old people, worshipping ancestors, community relationship and spiritual ceremonies.
Dr. Thieu also spent time on presentation about ANMA member countries and their cultures. It is very helpful for students who will be volunteers for the upcoming ANMA 4.
Students listening to Dr. Thieu’s presentation
Regarding the discussion, the students have put many questions on cultures belonged to ANMA members and how to preserve and promote national cultures in the modern time. This positive discussion shows the fact that young people are increasingly interested in the talk shows held by VNMH./.
Minh Vượng, Quang Hưng
English: Tran Trang