Exhibition on “Several images of Vietnam Literature Temples”

On January 22 morning, the Scientific Cultural Operation Center of Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy held the opening ceremony of the exhibition on “Several images of Vietnam Literature Temples” to welcome the spring 2014.

Exhibition opened during the lunar New Year festival 2014. Photo: Gia Huy

The exhibition displays 80 photos of architecture, epitaph, and artifacts relating to cult, examination, fame, introduces to the public an overview of Vietnam examination system during the establishment, development and existence.

The exhibition also aims to arouse school tradition, pride in the cultural heritage and quintessence left by our forefathers. Furthermore, it is to encourage the locality within the possibility, to resurrect the lost Temples of Literature as a place for “honor the master, respect the teachings”, contributing to educate the talents of present and future generations.

In 1070, Emperor Ly Thanh Tong had Thang Long Temple of Literature built as the 1st place to worship Confucius and the past talented, past Confucian and school for Prince. In 1076, Emperor Ly Nhan Tong established Imperial Academy for the noble children and literate people.

Display of restored ink-slab in the exhibition. Photo: Gia Huy

The Confucius worshipping system in Vietnam is based on the model of literature temples from the central to local (from the capital to province, commune). Beside the function of worshipping the past saint and talented under Confucian, it is also the place enrolling names of candidates coming first in the competition examinations. Thang Long Literature Temple and Hue Temperature Temple worship the top candidates of national examinations. The provincial, district literature temples worship the top candidates of local examinations, some of which cover the function of school and examining place. They are where to express studious tradition and honor cultural well-known men.

At present, the literature temples left nationwide are quite fewer than those recorded on epitaphs and books. Many of them have been eliminated although their names still remain in historical records. Beside two major literature temples in Hanoi and Hue, others have become significant historical monuments such as: Mao Dien literature temple (in Hai Duong province), Bac Ninh Literature Temple, Dien Khanh Literature Temple (Khanh Hoa), Minh Huong Literature Temple (Quang Nam), etc.

The exhibition will be opened throughout the lunar New Year festival for visitors.

Gia Huy