Ethnology museum begins handicraft classes
VietNamNet Bridge, VietnamÂ
A number of children from Hanoi are enjoying a summer course on making products from fabric at the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology.
The event, which began last Tuesday, is the second of its kind to be opened at the museum since last summer and is expected to be as successful as the last one.
The course is being held at the museum’s Discovery Room with teachers from the Fine Arts Department of the Hanoi Teachers’ College and the cadre from the Education Room at the museum.
“The lessons aim to create a playful atmosphere for children during their summer break but also to help them better themselves and discover the original features of diverse Vietnamese ethnics,” says Le Tung Lam, from the museum’s Education Room. “It also strives to help kids find out themselves what they’re good at.”
At the programme, children are taught how to make creative fabrics with wax print designs in the H’Mong style, dye the cloth of Thai people, make dolls from paper and create traditional costumes for their new dolls.
They also learned to create useful products such as bags for mobile phones, wallets and pillow cases. In particular, this year, children can learn about the traditional embroidery technique with artisans from Quat Dong village in northern province of Ha Tay.
“Before, children used to see costumes of different ethnic people in the gallery. But after they saw them, they forgot or didn’t understand the costumes’ meaning,” Lam adds.
“But now when they take part in the course, they are very excited to dye a cloth or print designs themselves on the fabric under the guidance of a teacher. When the exhibit finishes, their best products will be displayed at the museum.”
Puppetry performances are also part of the programme and children will learn how to manipulate puppets and discover the culture of Vietnamese ethics through displays and handicraft workshops.
Seventy-five pupils from eight to 26-years-old from Hanoi are taking part in the museum’s two classes, one held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the other on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8.30 to 10.30am every week. The course will end on August 20.
For further information, please contact the Education Room of the museum at 7562192 (28).
(Source: Viet Nam News)