THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION “DECIPHERING THE MYSTERY OF KINH THIEN PALACE’S ARCHITECTURE”
On November 29, 2023, the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (December 2, 1953 - December 2, 2023), the Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies - Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences coordinated with the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, Hanoi Museum and CMYK Vietnam to organize the exhibition "Deciphering the mystery of Kinh Thien Palace's architecture".
Attending the opening ceremony were: Dr. Phan Chi Hieu - President, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; Dr. Dang Xuan Thanh - Vice President, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Minh Tri - Director, Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies; Ms. Pham Thi My Hoa - Deputy Director, Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports; Dr. Vu Manh Ha - Director, Ho Chi Minh Museum; Mr. Nguyen Van Duong - Deputy Director, President Ho Chi Minh's vestige in the Presidential Palace Area; Mr. Nguyen Tien Da - Director, Hanoi Museum; Mr. Pham Trung Hung - Director, CMYK Vietnam; collector Mr. Duong Danh Phat; along with scientists and representatives of museums in the Capital and surrounding localities. Press agencies attended and reported on the event.
The exhibition displays documents, artefacts, and architectural models combined with projection technology of the research achievements in deciphering the architectural form of the Kinh Thien Palace based on archaeological and historical research results and comparative studies with ancient palace architectural systems in East Asia.
The opening ribbon-cutting ceremony
Kinh Thien Palace is a Court Palace located in the centre of the Forbidden Citadel of Thang Long Capital during the early Le Dynasty. It is where the most important national ceremonies occurred, such as the Emperor's Ascension to the Throne Ceremony, the Great Court Ceremony and the Court's Ceremony to welcome foreign envoys. This palace, built by Emperor Le Thai To, was constructed in 1428 and was repaired and rebuilt in 1465 and 1467. During the Mac Dynasty (1527-1592) and the Le Trung Hung Dynasty (1593-1789), the Kinh Thien Palace was used to hold court.
Since 2011, dozens of archaeological excavations have occurred around Kinh Thien Palace. The excavations and archaeological research results have made many new and valuable discoveries, providing more reliable scientific data for restoring the architectural form of early Le Dynasty Palaces, especially the main building - Kinh Thien Palace in Thang Long Forbidden Citadel.
Associate Professor Dr. Bui Minh Tri - Director of the Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies, introduced the exhibition.
Comparative research on wooden structures and roof tiles shows that the Kinh Thien Palace's architecture was elaborately designed and magnificently decorated according to royal rituals with many splendid colours. The majestic beauty and prosperity of the dynasty bear similarities to the most famous palaces in East Asia at the same time, such as the palaces in the Imperial Palace of Beijing (China) or Changdeokgung (Seoul - Korea). The roof of Kinh Thien Palace was constructed with an extraordinary type of tile called the dragon tile (dragon-shaped tile). This tile is a unique type of tile among all the roof tiles of ancient palaces in Asia at that time, bringing a unique nuance, full of creativity of Vietnamese palace architecture during the early Le Dynasty.
Based on reliable archaeological sources, especially comparisons of techniques and architectural styles with ancient palace architecture in East Asia, studying the foundation plan, roof support frame, and roof tiles, scientists from the Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies have successfully deciphered and reconstructed the architectural form of Kinh Thien Palace in 3D.
Associate Professor Bui Minh Tri - Director of the Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies, spoke at the ceremony.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Associate Professor Dr. Bui Minh Tri - Director of the Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies, said: "Deciphering the mystery of Kinh Thien Palace's Architecture" exhibition is not only an achievement of the Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies but also is a typical and vivid demonstration of the scientific research achievements and general contributions to society of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences during the 70-year journey of construction and development. The research achievement of 3D image restoration of the architectural form of Kinh Thien Palace announced on this occasion, is a meaningful result to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.
The exhibition is on the 1st floor, Hanoi Museum, Pham Hung Street, Me Tri, Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi.
Hoàng Vân
