NEW DELHI — An exhibition featuring contemporary paintings and photos of Vietnamese painters and photographers opened on Thursday at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNC) in New Delhi, India.

This is the first among a series of events co-organised by Việt Nam and India in 2017 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship establishment between the two countries (January 7, 1972 - January 7, 2017) and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership relationship establishment (2007-2017).

Vietnamese Ambassador to India Tôn Sinh Thành, President of India Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Dr Lokesh Chandra, Member Secretary of IGNC Dr Sachchi Danand Joshi and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in India, as well as Vietnamese painters, photographers and Indian friends participated in the event. 

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Tôn Sinh Thành welcomed visitors to the art exhibition and said the works exhibited at the event showcased different aspects of Vietnamese life and its beauty, through which, international friends could have better understanding about Việt Nam’s culture and its people.

The ambassador also hoped this exhibition and other cultural events held in India in the future would be a great chance to promote cultural co-operation, identified as one of five pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Relationship between Việt Nam and India.

Also on the occasion, Thành congratulated Vietnamese painters and photographers for bringing their works to be exhibited in India, especially at the well-known IGNC.

Joshi said Việt Nam and India have a close relationship in culture and share many things in common. He also expressed pleasure at being part of the event.

Also on this occasion, Chandra emphasised the long traditional relationship of Việt Nam and India. He expressed his admiration with the rapid changes in Việt Nam, especially in the economic field.

The exhibition featured 45 paintings and 45 art photos of 20 contemporary painters and photographers from all over Việt Nam, representing 45 years of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, painter Nguyễn Quý Kiên told Vietnam News Agency reporter.

Kiên said this is the second time he has come to India for an exhibition and was very impressed by Indian painters.

“I hope the two countries will have more opportunities to share and exchange experiences to understand more about their respective art and painting techniques,” he said.

The exhibition is on until next Tuesday. — VNS