This year, Vietnam and Italy celebrate a very meaningful and symbolic anniversary, 45 years of diplomatic relations.
On March 23rd, 1973 our two countries decided to start a new season of cooperation mindful of the strong friendship and solidarity flourished during the war.
Since then, our partnership was strengthened in every field and 5 years ago, on January 21st, 2013, our Governments decided to take such a relationship to the next level by establishing a strategic partnership.
To mark its high relevance, the signing of the agreement took place on the occasion of the historic State visit the Secretary General of CPV, Nguyen Phu Trong, paid to Italy.
Further to the agreement, our relations got new momentum thanks also to the many visits we exchanged both at high and technical level, as well as to a deeper and more structured cooperation in the field of culture, education, defense, justice, infrastructures, environment, energy, agriculture, science & technology.
The extent of such cooperation and the activities carried out throughout Vietnam within its framework made it possible to narrow the geographical distance between Italy and Vietnam. We focused on the similarities between our two peoples and spared no effort to enhance their awareness of the many and deeply rooted material and immaterial heritages they share.
The wide spectrum of fields covered by the strategic partnership and the numerous goals set for the next years will ensure a flourishing future to our countries with many more achievements to reach along the path of our friendly cooperation guided by the polar star of the sustainable development.
To mark this symbolic anniversary, the Embassy of Italy in Hanoi has arranged an extensive and articulated program of events to showcase at its best the richness of the Italian cultural offer as well as the concrete outcomes of our many, fruitful partnerships.
The celebrations will be officially launched on Friday, March 16th at the Youth Theatre in Hanoi (11, Ngo Thi Nham) on the occasion of a special concert meant to celebrate Italian-Vietnamese friendship: the “IBLA Vietnam Awards 2018”. It will feature 12 young and talented musicians from all over the world, all awarded within the renowned IBLA competition that takes place every year in the marvelous Italian city of Ragusa-Ibla. They will perform some of the most iconic pieces of Italian and European music with a special focus on Gioacchino Rossini, as this year we recall the 150th anniversary of his passing away. The program will also include pieces by Cimarosa, Giuliani, Piazzolla, Schubert, Brahms, Chopin.
Prior to the opening of the concert, the Ambassador of Italy to Vietnam, Ms. Cecilia Piccioni, will bestow upon fashion designer Ms. Minh Hanh the medal of Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy, conferred by the President of the Italian Republic for her invaluable contribution to the strengthening of the cultural relations between Italy and Vietnam and for granting special honor and visibility to Italy in Vietnam.
Moreover, the young student Ms. Nguyen Hoang Anh, attending the Italian Department of Hanoi University, will be awarded for having designed the beautiful logo celebrating the 45th anniversary.
On the following days, March 17th, 18th and 19th, the Italy-Vietnam Fashion Council, under the patronage of the Embassy of Italy, will introduce to the Vietnamese public a special edition of the Vietnam Fashion Week: the Vietnam-Italia Fashion Week 2018 with the special participation of an Italian designer, Mr. Michele Gaudiomonte.
As Italy is one of the leading fashion superpowers in the world and Vietnam has always harbored a strong interest in the field, progressively training a promising batch of skilled designers, fashion has soon become an important area of cooperation between the two countries.
On the occasion of the above mentioned 45th Anniversary, Italy-Vietnam Fashion Council will complement “The Vietnam-Italia Fashion Week 2018” with a unique thematic exhibition: “Silk Weaving Process“. This additional event, that will be held at Casa Italia (18 Le Phung Hieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi) from March 14th to 19th, 2018, will showcase the traditional silk manufacturing process directly and skillfully presented by artisans from Hanoi and Bao Loc: Thai Nam silk – Nha xa, VietSilk, Silky Vietnam, Baoloc Silk, Lua Viet, Nhat Minh Silk, Ha Bao Silk- Bao Loc.
Casa Italia is the center for the promotion of Italian culture and entrepreneurship also hosting iconic products of the major Italian companies working in Vietnam. Indeed, it offers the perfect framework to the abovementioned exhibition, as it embodies the concept of an Italian Renaissance square where ideas and people from different countries get together and enrich their own heritage through original and fruitful exchanges.
The “Silk Weaving Process” will display silkworms, silk spinners, wooden looms and silk products. In particular, the artisans will illustrate the silk spinning and weaving process, distinctive of one of the most renowned traditional works of Vietnam. Through this exhibition, the Italy-Vietnam Fashion Council and the Embassy of Italy aim at highlighting the value of craft and culture in the fashion industry as well the key relevance our two countries attach to sustainability.
The preciousness and versatility of sustainable textiles such as silk, and the encounter between Italian and Vietnamese creativity will prove the main sources of inspiration for the many, diverse fashion collections Autumn/Winter 2018, showcased on 17, 18 and 19 March at the Dien Hong Flower Garden (Con Coc Garden, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi).
Gaudiomonte, Bianco Levrin, Cap Duy, Phuong Thanh, Nhi Hoang, Hung Viet Ha, Ha Duy, Cao Minh Tien, Tran Thanh Man, Cong Huan, Chu La, Ngoc Han, Tran Thien Khanh, Duy Nguyen, Hao Nguyen, Xuan Hao, Huyen Nhung, Minh Hanh, these are the18 designers from Italy and Vietnam that will make the show come true. Each one of them offering a unique interpretation of the theme of “sustainability”.
Indeed, sustainability is the “golden thread” that the Embassy of Italy has chosen to link all the many events that will mark the 45th anniversary and the month of April will see a special event focused on geographical indications and scientific cooperation.
The extensive calendar of activities will unfold with many other events in the upcoming months through gastronomy, music, literature, cinema and much more.
For further information on the cultural activities of the Embassy, please contact our Cultural Office (Tel: 024 38256256 ext. 116, email: culturale.hanoi@esteri.it).
