Vinh Nghiem woodblocks’ Conservation and Exhibition Buildings inaugurated

Updated: 16:31, 18/12/2017

(BGO) – The People’s Committee in Yen Dung district, Bac Giang province on December 17 coordinated with the provincial Buddhist Association to organize an inauguration ceremony for the Conservation and Exhibition Buildings of the Vinh Nghiem pagoda’s woodblocks.

A view of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The event was attended by Central representatives of Pham Thi Hai Chuyen, the former member of the Central Party Committee, President of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly; Nguyen Dang Khoa, the former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Chu Hao, the former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology; Hoang Hong Lac, the former Deputy State Auditor Generals as well as the Bac Giang provincial leaders of Nguyen Van Linh, the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee; Bui Van Hanh, Vice Permanent Chairman of the provincial People’s Council; Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee; members of the provincial Party’s Standing Committee; the Administration Board of the provincial Buddhist Association; leaders from the provincial departments, sectors, Yen Dung district, Buddhist followers, businesses and visitors nationwide.

Commenced in April 2016, the Conservation and Exhibition Buildings of the Vinh Nghiem pagoda’s woodblocks have been completed on schedule as the design. The project covers more than 300 square meters in the pagoda’s campus with the traditional architecture of angles in the four roofs, ironwood frame and mui hai tile (so – called because their shape resembles the curved front of a mandarin shoe). The Exhibition Building comprises of five apartments and two wings while the Conservation House has three apartments and two wings.

The representatives visit the Conservation and Exhibition Building in the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda.

The total investment of over 30 billion VND (1.3 million USD) was mobilized from the socialization source and partly from the state budget (6 billion VND (264,200 USD) of which was from the provincial budget and 3.5 billion VND (154,000 USD) from the district budget). The project helps further preserve, promote the woodblock’s value and tourism development.

After the opening speech, the Central, provincial leaders and the representatives cut the ribbons to inaugurate the project. Several organizations and individuals took the occasion to donate to the pagoda. Previously, the event participants carried out the incense offering ceremony.

The Vinh Nghiem pagoda is home to 3,050 woodblocks under 34 titles recognized by UNESCO as the World Documentary Heritage in the Asian Pacific region in 2012. For the upcoming time, Yen Dung district will focus on enhancing the quality of narration and introduction about the pagoda in general and the woodblocks in particular.

Nguyen Huong