More than 100 photos featuring the life and culture of 54 ethnic groups of Viet Nam are on display at the Luxembourg gardens of the French Senate in an exhibition themed “Viet Nam - Unity in diversity – 54 faces and costumes of Viet Nam’s ethnic groups”.
The black-and-white and colour photos were taken by French photographer Sebastien Laval and his Vietnamese colleague Le Vuong.
Laval, who arrived in Viet Nam for the first time in 1995, quickly fell in love with Viet Nam. He has spent nearly 20 years of his life capturing the beauty of landscapes and people from ethnic groups in the most remote areas across the country. The photos that he brought to the event were taken from 1997-2014.
Meanwhile, 95-year-old veteran photographer Le Vuong has devoted his whole life to the art of photography. He has won a number of world prestigious awards.
Addressing the opening ceremony on June 26, Jean-Pierre Bel, Speaker of the French Senate, said the Senate is honoured to host the event which he described as a meaningful activity to promote the friendship of people of both countries.
The photo vividly featured portraits of the people, their daily lives, costumes and religious rituals, which have become part of the world’s memory and cultural heritage that need restoring and preserving, he said.
Ambassador Duong Van Quang, Head of Viet Nam’s Mission to UNESCO, said there is no big or small cultures, just cultures and their diversity, adding that Viet Nam and France are joining hands in safeguarding these cultural values, not only in the framework of bilateral cooperation but also at international forums, especially the UNESCO.
The exhibition, jointly organised by the France-Viet Nam Friendship Association, the Vietnamese Association in France and the French Institute, will stay opened until July 6.
On the occasion, a collection of traditional costumes of 20 Viet Nam’s ethnic groups by Alain Dussarps, Vice Chairman of the France-Viet Nam Friendship Association, is also on display.