The International Photography Festival - Hue 2023 marks the first time it has been organized as part of the Hue Festival 2023, aiming to connect, introduce, and promote the cultural heritage of Hue through photography. The opening ceremony was attended by Nguyen Thanh Binh, Deputy Chairman of the Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee; Ma The Anh, Director of the Department of Fine Arts and Photography of Vietnam; Tran Thi Thu Dong, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Photography Artists Association; Eddie Ng, Chairman of Crossing Bridges Asia Photography Association, and many other participants from the "2023 International Photography Festival Hue."
During the program, Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung, Deputy Director of the Center for Conservation of Hue Ancient Capital Relics and Head of the Organizing Committee of the 2023 International Photography Festival Hue, stated that the Hue Festival has become a brand of Thua Thien Hue, organized annually with four seasons of highlighted activities. This year, within the framework of the Hue Festival, the International Photography Festival Hue 2023 is being organized for the first time, attracting the participation of 116 photographers from the region, including 97 international photographers from countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and 19 photographers from various regions in Vietnam. This event brings together passionate artists who seek to capture and interpret reality through the lens of art.
Eddie Ng, Chairman of Crossing Bridges Asia Photography Association, added: "Vietnam is a diverse country with many different cultures, from the North to the South. Crossing Bridges Asia (Crossing Bridges) has visited Vietnam four times in the past two decades. Besides the stunning landscapes and impressive history from the North to the South of Vietnam, it's essential to mention the people of Vietnam. Their warmth, joy, and friendly demeanor have always been a memorable aspect of our visits to Vietnam."
The International Photography Festival Hue 2023, taking place from September 9 to September 15, 2023, focuses on capturing the beauty of nature, landscapes, and the cultural heritage of Hue as a source of creative inspiration for participating artists. Organized within the framework of the Hue Festival, the event aims to connect photographers from various countries and promote the cultural heritage of Hue through the art of photography.
Crossing Bridges 20Plus, which was initiated in 2004, has been organizing photography events for 20 consecutive years in multiple countries. Each year, it attracts over 100 photographers, including many renowned professional photographers. The primary goal of Crossing Bridges Asia is to foster connections among photography clubs from neighboring countries, build cross-border friendships, share a passion for photography, and contribute to the global promotion of each country's image. In recent years, Crossing Bridges Asia has also incorporated a focus on charitable activities as part of its mission.
At the International Photography Festival Hue 2023, the natural beauty, landscapes, and cultural heritage of Hue will serve as the subjects and sources of creative inspiration for the participating artists. The organizing committee will facilitate photography sessions at various iconic locations in Hue, such as Dam Lap An, Van Mieu (Temple of Literature), the tombs of Minh Mang, Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh, Quang Loi Lagoon, Thanh Toan Tile Bridge, the Imperial City, Duyet Thi Duong, traditional royal court music performances, traditional lanterns within the Imperial City, Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village, local villages, and Dong Ba Market.
In addition to the main activities, there will be a photography competition titled "Exploring Hue's Heritage" for festival participants, sponsored by the Vietnam Photography Artists Association. All submitted photos and award-winning images will be gifted to the Center for Conservation of Hue Ancient Capital Relics after being displayed in the exhibition.
Furthermore, the Vietnam Photography Artists Association will also organize an exhibition showcasing selected works from the 12th International Artistic Photo Contest (VN-23). This international contest received 10,337 entries from 1,073 authors representing 32 countries and territories.