82 Doctoral Steles at Temple of Literature become National Treasures

On the morning of November 23, to celebrate Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day, at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam (Hanoi), the "Ceremony to Announce the Prime Minister's Decision to recognize 82 Doctoral Steles at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam as National Treasures" took place.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Dang Thi Bich Lien - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism proudly said: "The 82 Doctoral steles placed at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam have long been considered one of the precious cultural heritages, the stone pages of history left by our ancestors. Moreover, these steles are also a symbol, the most eloquent encouragement to study for the scholars and students of the past and the students of today.

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the opening of the Exhibition "Doctor's Steles - Vietnamese Cultural Heritage"

The 82 stone steles corresponding to the 82 examinations (dating from 1484 to 1780) are the only original documents remaining in the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, Hanoi. These are the first steles in Vietnam to record the names of the winners of the imperial examinations, created by famous artists and scholars. Each stele is a unique work, the crystallization of the intelligence and skillful hands of leading culturalists, calligraphers and artisans over a period of nearly 300 years.

As we know, the Doctorate steles are an important source of historical data in the study of Vietnamese history in general and the Vietnamese examination system in particular. It is an educational philosophy that values ​​talented people. It is the way of governing the country, with the motto that building and developing the country must always pay attention to training talented people. It is the method and recruitment of talented people, expressed in the ideology of governing the country based on talented people.

With such special cultural and historical values, in March 2010, 82 Doctoral steles at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam were recognized by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage in the Asia - Pacific region. On July 27, 2011, 82 Doctoral steles were again recognized as a World Documentary Heritage globally. Next, on May 10, 2012, the entire Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam was recognized by the Government as a Special National Monument and on January 14, 2015, 82 Doctoral steles at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam were once again recognized as National Treasures by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

“This is a great honor and a source of pride for the people of the capital and the whole country. However, this noble title also places a great responsibility on the shoulders of cultural workers in Hanoi in preserving and promoting the value of this precious cultural heritage," emphasized Mr. To Van Dong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports.

82 Doctoral steles of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, Hanoi are recognized as national treasures.

In recent years, the Capital's Department of Culture has paid great attention to the restoration, embellishment and promotion of the value of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam and 82 Doctorate steles. Many items of the Relic have been restored, 8 houses covering the Doctorate steles have been restored, and there have been many activities in researching and promoting the Heritage. Along with this task, the work of connecting, exchanging, sharing experiences, and promoting the tradition of Vietnamese mandarinate and the system of Doctorate steles nationwide will also be expanded.

Vietnam Poetry Day takes place at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, Hanoi. Illustrative photo.

Therefore, in order to protect and promote the value of national treasures more effectively, in the coming time, Ms. Dang Thi Bich Lien suggested that the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports; the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam should focus on developing a plan to ensure absolute safety for each national treasure, and have fire prevention and fighting measures at places where national treasures are kept. At the same time, research and implement periodic special preservation. In addition, step up the development of programs and promote the value of national treasures in conjunction with the propaganda to protect and promote the value of the traditional cultural heritage of love of learning, patriotism, and love for the people of our ancestors.

According to Online Labor