A photo by German photographer Thomas Billhardt. His photo book and photo exhibition Hà Nội 1967 -1975 is one of the nominations for the Work Prize at the Bùi Xuân Phái Awards. Photo baotintuc.vn

HÀ NỘI - Eleven official nominations are shortlisted for the 14th Bùi Xuân Phái - For The Love of Hà Nội award.

The award is held annually by Vietnam News Agency's Thể Thao & Văn Hóa (Culture & Sports) daily and late artist Bùi Xuân Phái's family. 

The award aims to honour authors, works, jobs and ideas that show a love for Hà Nội.

The Work Prize category has three nominations, including photo book and photo exhibition Hà Nội 1967 - 1975 by German photographer Thomas Billhardt; the set of books Thăng Long Kinh Kì - Kẻ Chợ (Thăng Long: Royal Capital City, Marketplace) by Nguyễn Huy Thắng and Nguyễn Quốc Tín and the book Tay Chơi (Gallant) by Mai Lâm.

The photo exhibition by Billhardt introduced for the first time in Việt Nam some 130 black-and-white and colour photos taken during his trips to the country. The exhibition provides an honest view of the city from 1967 to 1975.

The Job Prize has received three nominations. They are the Hanoi creative space design contest, the “Hanoi is...” drawing contest and the series of activities of the Hanoi Rethink project, and the COVID-19 vaccination campaign and efforts of the city’s COVID-19 prevention and control forces.

With the theme: ''Hanoi is…'', participating artists featured unique ideas, stories and emotions provoked by the capital through their works. Many creative ideas were expressed, with diverse materials at the contest.

In the Idea Prize, four other nominations will vie for this title, including the project on rebuilding the architecture of Diên Hựu - One Pillar Pagoda with virtual reality technology; the idea of building an underground highway and renovating Tô Lịch River into a historical, cultural and spiritual park; the Red River urban subdivision planning project and the idea of turning old factories into creative spaces in Hà Nội. 

A concert was held at Complex 01 space in Hà Nội. It used to be a print factory. The idea of turning old factories into creative spaces is nominated for Idea Prize. VNA Photo Tuấn Đức

Tô Lịch River project was initiated by Nhật Việt Environment Company. It made a proposal to the Hà Nội authorities to recover the river, which was once one of the capital city’s most beautiful.

The only nomination for and also the winner of the Grand Prize will be announced at the awards ceremony around the middle of October. The prize is the most important award granted to an individual who has devoted his or her life to the development of Hà Nội and has a career that is strongly connected to the capital.

Last time, composer Phú Quang received the Grand Prize for his renowned and immortal songs about the capital city.

The awards were initiated in 2008 to honour painter Bùi Xuân Phái (1920-1988), a founder of modern art in Việt Nam.

This year, the award is held in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the organisation board is concerned about the number of entries. 

"Hà Nội is still an source of inspiration for people to create and to have ideas and jobs showing their love for Hà Nội," said Dương Trung Quốc, one of the jurors. 

The jury panel includes poet Bằng Việt, architect Hoàng Đạo Kính and Lê Xuân Thành, Editor-in-Chief of Thể Thao và Văn Hóa daily. - VNS