Norway Giving Spirit to Vietnamese Stones

Norway’s ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Ståle Risa, visited Danang Sculpture Center in Non Nuoc (Marble Mountains) village on a roundtrip in Central Vietnam in late May. This village renowned is for its traditional stone carving.  Danang Sculpture Center was established in 2001 to enhance cultural exchange among artists from both Vietnam and Norway.

On display by the East bank of the Han River in Danang stand twelve
high-ranking chalk white sculptures – a beautiful representation and a
lasting symbol of cultural exchange, cooperation and friendship between
Norway and Vietnam.

The sculptures are the outcome of a sculpture symposium, financed by The
Norwegian Embassy and Danang Peoples’s Committee, which gave Norwegian
and Vietnamese sculptors an opportunity to work together, share ideas
and experiences, and to better understand the art and lifestyle of the
two countries.

“I find the way the Center is organized very interesting and sustainable”, said Ambassador Risa, and referred to the cultural and social focus of the organization, in addition to the business activities.   

“And I am happy to see that when you are training young carvers in modern sculpture techniques, and exposing them to international practices by working alongside professional sculptors and artists, you are also providing them with important life skills that will enhance them in their future life”, the Ambassador continued.  

The Sculpture Center was established around ten years ago, when the Norwegian sculptor Øyvin Storbækken was invited to Vietnam in 2001 by his local counterparts in the Fine Art Associations in Hanoi and Danang. With basis in the long tradition of stone carving in both Norway and Vietnam, a project was developed to educate stone carvers and sculptors and establish an institution where they could share their skills, ideas and knowledge. The project has been sponsored by Norway in different faces, but is today a self-financed Foundation

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *