HÀ NỘI — Hundreds of primary students took part in a painting contest launch ceremony at the Western Hanoi School on September 14.

Denmark in Your Eyes, an annual painting contest for Vietnamese school children, is  co-hosted  by  the  Danish  Embassy  in  Việt Nam and the Việt Nam  –  Denmark  Friendship Association  (VIDAFA)  with  support  from  Kim  Đồng  Publishing  House,  Nhi  Đồng Newspaper and My Kingdom – Lego Vietnam.

This year, the theme is Green Dreams to encourage young participants to share their messages and visions for current environmental issues via colourful and imaginative drawings.

“The aim of the  contest is to enable children to portray environmental issues as seen through their young eyes,  reflecting  their unique sensitivity  as  issues are perceived by children as they expressed," said Louise Holmsgaard, the Danish Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission at the contest launching ceremony.

"It  is  our  sincere  hope  that  the  contest  will  bring  many  adults  to  experience  how  global  environmental  issues  are  perceived  by  children  as  they  express their  feelings  through  art. Denmark  is  globally  well-known  and respected  as  a  green  nation,  and  we  wish to strengthen  our  co-operation  with  Việt Nam  further within the green area and to help raise public awareness on the importance of a green and cleaner world,” she said.

The contest was first launched in 2016 on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Denmark by the Danish embassy and VIDAFA.

Since then, Denmark in Your Eyes has become an annual competition for children, with a different theme every year.

"Our students are excited to participate in the painting contest," said Nguyễn Thị Thùy Dung, art teacher at the Western Hanoi School. "Although we have two painting contests each year for our students, Denmark in Your Eyes is also meaningful for them. It is a chance for the students to get to know more about the culture of a foreign country."

The contest is open to all Vietnamese primary school-children. Entries should be made on A3-size art paper. Any medium, including pastel, oil pastels, pen, pencil, charcoal, acrylics, watercolor, oils and mixed media can be used.

There are no limits on the number of entries per participant and every child is welcomed  to submit as many paintings that depicting their  green dreams as they wish.

All entries should  be sent to VIDAFA’s office located on the 7th floor, 105A Quán Thánh Street, Ba Đình,  Hà Nội  no  later  than  October  5th , 2018.  All  paintings  should  be  accompanied  with  the children’s name, age,  school, class,  email,  phone number  and full mailing address of either the parents or the school.  Please make sure the envelope is clearly labeled with Denmark in Your Eyes 2018.

The contest’s award ceremony will be held by the end of this year. A special prize winner will be awarded  with  a  camera  and  a  set  of  LEGO  toys.  The  1st,  2nd  and  3rd  prize  winners  will  be awarded  with  LEGO  toys.  In  addition,  there  are  also  50  consolation  prizes  and  two groups  will receive the organizers’ awards.  — VNS