Displaying calligraphy during the Lunar New Year is a tradition of Vietnamese people. A festival at the Temple of Literature will include many calligraphic artists. — VNS Photo Việt Thanh

HÀ NỘI — The 2020 Spring Calligraphy Festival will begin on January 18 at Hà Nội’s Temple of Literature, honouring the art and tradition of writing.

Having a calligraphic work written on red paper to display during the Lunar New Year is a tradition of the Vietnamese people to pray for good things. The calligraphers write meaningful letters meaning prosperity, longevity and happiness, according to Lê Xuân Kiêu, director of the Centre for Scientific and Cultural Activities of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám.

This year, 52 calligraphers, including famous artists such as Kiều Quốc Khánh and Cung Khắc Lược, will be at the festival.

The festival includes an exhibition of calligraphic works, food, folk games, traditional music performances and a handicraft fair showcasing products made from silk, lacquer, pottery, rattan and ornamental plants.

Visitors to the festival can enjoy calligraphic works at an exhibition entitled Thành Đức (Forming Morality).

“The Temple of Literature has two gates called Thành Đức (literally meaning Forming Morality) and Đạt Tài (Achieving Success), that means people should practise virtue before becoming successful,” said Kiêu.

“That’s the message we want to send through the festival,” he said.

The festival will run until February 5 at Văn (Literature) Lake next to the Temple of Literature. — VNS