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Book Introduction: "Ham Nghi: Exiled Emperor - An Artist in Alger" and Presentation of Emperor Ham Nghi's Memorabilia
11/6/2024 4:06:47 PM
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As part of the events celebrating Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Day on November 23, on the morning of November 5, at Duyet Thi Duong Theater (Imperial City, Hue), the Hue Monuments Conservation Center held a seminar to introduce the book Ham Nghi: Exiled Emperor - Artist in Alger. The event featured the participation of the author and speaker, Dr. Amandine Dabat, an art historian and fifth-generation descendant of Emperor Ham Nghi.

Art historian Dr. Amandine Dabat, who holds a Ph.D. in Art History from Sorbonne University and a Master’s degree in Vietnamese Studies from Paris Diderot University, is a fifth-generation descendant of Emperor Ham Nghi and the great-granddaughter of Princess Nhu Ly (Emperor Ham Nghi's daughter). In 2015, she successfully defended her doctoral dissertation at the National Institute of Art History (Paris), focusing on Emperor Ham Nghi: Ham Nghi: The Exiled Emperor - An Artist in Algiers.

Overview of the book introduction "Ham Nghi - Exiled Emperor - Artist in Alger" and presentation of Emperor Ham Nghi's relics

The book, authored by Dr. Amandine Dabat, explores the life and career of Emperor Ham Nghi as a patriot and a talented artist during his time of exile in France and Algiers.

During the seminar, Dr. Dabat presented two precious artifacts from Emperor Ham Nghi's legacy to the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, part of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center: a Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Wooden Tray and a Set of Books in Han Script. These items hold significant cultural and historical value and will enrich the museum’s collection of artifacts associated with Emperor Ham Nghi.

Dr. Amandine Dabat presents the relic of Emperor Ham Nghi's mother-of-pearl inlaid wooden tray to the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum

Presenting the Chinese book set of Emperor Ham Nghi

The "Palace chopsticks made of walrus ivory" given by Queen Mother Tu Du to Mrs. Phan Thi Hoa to use during Emperor Ham Nghi's meals (Can Vuong period 1885-1889) was donated to the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum.

Descendants of Emperor Ham Nghi presented the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum with many valuable relics of Emperor Ham Nghi

On this occasion, besides the cooperation, contributions, and donations of Emperor Ham Nghi's memorabilia to Thua Thien Hue Province, Dr. Dabat also presented a Smoking Pipe from Emperor Ham Nghi to the People's Committee of Cam Lo District, Quang Tri Province, and an Oil Painting by Emperor Ham Nghi to the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

Representatives of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center and the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum presented flowers of thanks to Dr. Amandine Dabat, Mr. Dang Van Giap and Mr. Dang Van Luyen, descendants of Emperor Ham Nghi

Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, stated, “This event not only helps to preserve the nation’s cultural heritage but also creates an opportunity for younger generations to learn and understand Vietnam’s history and artistic values.”

At the same event, Mr. Trung announced that in March 2025, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center will collaborate with Art Republik magazine and the Lan Tinh Foundation to organize an exhibition on Emperor Ham Nghi’s artistic life at Kien Trung Palace, Imperial City, Hue. This exhibition will showcase 20 original oil paintings by Emperor Ham Nghi, pieces from various private collections, authenticated by leading experts in fine arts. It will offer the public an opportunity to admire artistic works that represent a historical period and gain a deeper understanding of the patriotism and artistic talent of a Emperor who expressed his love for his homeland through his art.

Also, on the morning of November 5, violinist and artist Nguyen Xuan Huy gifted the Hue Monuments Conservation Center with a porcelain violin he crafted. Named Na-mo A-mi-ta-bha But-da, the work symbolizes the flow of time and the eternal values of Truth, Kindness, and Beauty. Mr. Huy, the first artist worldwide to create and perform on his porcelain violin, was also recognized as the first in Vietnam to achieve this feat.

Violinist Nguyen Xuan Huy presented the Hue Monuments Conservation Center with a porcelain violin he made himself

This violin is part of his unique porcelain instrument collection, completed in November 2024. This is his second violin donation; in 2019, he presented a violin titled Buddha Sitting on a Bodhi Leaf to former Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan on the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations in Tokyo.

Delegates took photos with speakers and organizers after the program

In the coming time, Thua Thien Hue Province and the Hue Monuments Conservation Center will continue to work with Dr. Amandine Dabat to collect more valuable materials to enrich the historical narrative of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Photos by Nguyen Phuc Bao Minh
Source:  Summarized by Kham pha Hue
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