Kiln project conserves traditional craft

The Viet Nam Institute of Culture and Arts in Hue is building a kiln on a centuries-old traditional model in a bid to revive famous pottery particular to Phuoc Tich Village.

Roots: A traditional kiln is built in Phuoc Tich.

The construction will be part of a VND300 million (US$17,000) project to conserve and restore cultural heritage of the village in tandem with community development.

The project also seeks to boost tourism in the village and surrounding areas, and will make a trilingual DVD on the village.

The project’s final activity will be festival titled “Itinerary of a pottery village on the sides of the O Lau River” expected to be held next June, coinciding with the Hue Festival 2010.

The institute is also preparing to publish a book on the history and culture of the 500 year-old village. “From dooc dooc to Phuoc Tich village: portrait of an ancient pottery village on the banks of O Lau River” is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The institute is also carrying out a survey and a study for a larger plan to revive the pottery art of Phuoc Tich and, to an extent, restore the vitality of this traditional handicraft.

The project is supported by Belgium’s Wallonie-Brucxelles Heritage Institute, Le Forem - a leading Belgian public employment and vocational training services agency - and the institute for training in traditional craft, Centre La Paix Dieu.

This larger initiative will include a training course on maintenance and restoration techniques for preserving the village’s ancient houses – nha ruong, traditionally built with artfully carved wooden pillars and bars.

According to old annals and family records, Phuoc Tich Village in Phong Hoa Commune, Phong Dien District, was established in 1470 under the Le Thanh Tong reign (1460-97).

Phuoc Tich has for long been famous for its pottery, a skill that was brought by Hoang Minh Hung of Cam Quyet Village in Nghe An Province, who, along with 11 families, also established the village.

Since the 15th century, Phuoc Tich pottery products have been widely available in north and central Viet Nam. They were also used in imperial palaces. Some pieces are now housed in the Hue Royal Fine Arts Museum.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News