The winning sketch by Đặng Viết Lộc.

HÀ NỘI — Student Đặng Viết Lộc won first prize at a drawing contest held by the Centre for Scientific and Cultural Activities of the Temple of Literature.

Lộc, from National University of Civil Engineering is honoured for his sketch entitled Khuê Văn Các (Khuê Văn Pavilion).

He was among the winners who received prizes in Hà Nội last weekend.

The contest was launched two months ago by the Centre in co-ordination with UNESCO Office in Hà Nội and the University of Civil Engineering aiming to show Hà Nội’s commitment to enhancing international co-operation among cities as a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

It was also an opportunity for students to show their creativity, feelings and viewpoints via sketches of the Temple of Literature’s architecture, objects and statues.

Juror Trần Hậu Yên Thế, lecturer from the Việt Nam University of Fine Arts highly valued the creativity and talent of the contestants.

“The contest helps young students to express their feelings about the temple,” he said.

“The drawings with a variety of materials and perspectives exploited the simple and familiar beauty of the historical relic which has fascinated tourists to Hà Nội."

The contest received hundreds of entries which show different perspectives and beautiful angles of one of the most popular architecture in Hà Nội.

They are are very diverse, including Khuê Văn Pavilion, Văn Miếu gate, Đại Trung gate, Thái Học courtyard, 82 doctoral steles - world documentary heritage, ancient trees and green spaces at the temple.

The organisers also awarded two second, three third and eight encouragement prizes to other artists.

“We hope that the contest will nurture a love for painting and popularise cultural heritage to the younger generation making contributions to traditional cultural value preservation and development,” said the centre’s director Lê Xuân Kiêu and head of organisation board at the awarding ceremony.

Apart from the awarded sketches, the organisers also selected 40 others which will go on display during the Lunar New Year.

The contest is helpful to fine arts students, according to architect Lê Thành Vinh, former head of Relics Preservation Institute.

“It is not only a drawing contest but it also a useful activity to promote heritage education and draw the young people closer to the heritage,” Vinh said.

The Temple of Literature was built in the 11th century during the Lý Dynasty. It is known as one of the most important relics and popular tourist destinations, rich with history and culture of Hà Nội.

It receives about two million visitors each year. — VNS