Cultural Rendezvous

In the previous edition of “Cultural Rendezvous”, Ana Schiller, a young Argentine native, gave us an overview of her motherland’s culture. Today we’ll continue talking with Ana Schiller, who is in Hanoi as part of a cultural exchange program, to learn more about Argentina, especially its music. Argentinian music includes, not just tango, but a wide variety of other music genres, dance styles, and traditional instruments.

An Argentine couple performing tango dance in Buenos Aires (Photo: vtv.vn)

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/cultural-rendezvous/argentinian-music-a-hybrid-of-overlapping-styles-957238.vov

- What is Argentina famous for besides legendary football stars Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. It depends on who you ask. Some people will rave about wine and delicious cuisine. Others may praise Argentina’s natural beauty. In this week’s “Cultural Rendezvous”, I will ask Ana Schiller, a young Argentine native who has been living in Hanoi for a year and a half under a cultural exchange program, about her country.

Argentine culture is a blend of European customs and Latin American and indigenous traditions. (Photo: visitargentina.net)

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/cultural-rendezvous/what-is-argentina-famous-for-954761.vov

China’s Suzhou is one of the oldest cities in the Yangtze Basin dating back more than 2,500 years. As the Chinese saying states, "In heaven there is paradise; on earth are Suzhou and Hangzhou," Suzhou has become popular among Chinese people and foreigners alike from this perspective. In ancient times, Suzhou was a center of economic prosperity and cultural abundance. Let’s join Jason Liu, a blogger from Suzhou, to explore the city’s unique offerings for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Canglang Pavilion, a famous garden in Suzhou. (Photo: Jason Liu)

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/cultural-rendezvous/chinas-suzhou-venice-of-the-east-947687.vov

It’s said that some foods are so amazing that after trying them once, you know you’re hooked for life. Iberian ham is one of those foods. Irene Reguilón, a native of Spain and a lecturer at Vietnam National University in Hanoi, will explain why we should be eating this heavenly treat!

Iberian ham, one of the tastiest tapas in Spain! (Photo: blog.amigofoods.com)

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/cultural-rendezvous/spanish-iberian-ham-the-worlds-most-expensive-cured-meat-943082.vov

Spain is famous for lots of things including the sexy, wild dancing called flamenco. If you want to learn more about this traditional folk dance of Spain, stick around as we talk to Paco Aibar Barraso, a Barcelona native.

Flamenco dance is said to have an extensive historical background that parallels the cultural development of Spain itself. (Photo: suspanish.com)

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/cultural-rendezvous/flamenco-a-traditional-folk-dance-of-spain-939034.vov

“Eid al-Adha,” the "Sacrifice Feast," is the second Muslim holiday celebrated in Oman each year. The festival marks the end of the traditional pilgrimage season to Mecca. A large number of animals are slaughtered during the festival. No alcohol is served on the day of the festival or on the day before. In this week’s Cultural Rendezvous, Dr. Khalfan Hamed Alharrasi, an Assistant Professor at the University of Nizwa, will be with us to introduce “Eid al-Adha”, one of Oman’s most beautiful celebrations.

A festive mood is often found with citizens, residents and visitors during the Eid al Adha.

(Photo: omanobserver.om)

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/cultural-rendezvous/eid-aladha-the-festival-of-sacrifice-in-oman-932930.vov

Pakistani weddings epitomise the richness of the culture. A single wedding contains many elements of local traditions. Pakistani weddings are explosions of colour, beautifully embroidered flowing fabrics in silks and chiffon, tantalizing food, traditionally decorated stages, and a lot of music and dancing. In this week’s “Cultural Rendezvous”, Najam Ul Hassan, a reporter with the Associated Press of Pakistan, will tell us all about Pakistani weddings.

Mehndis are usually most anticipated, because they are supposed to be the most fun-filled events of the entire wedding.  (Photo: desiblitz.com)

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/cultural-rendezvous/pakistans-traditional-wedding-celebration-and-ceremony-926934.vov

Many Vietnamese people know Oman only as the home of mythical characters whose stories continue to be told around the globe. But the Sultanate of Oman is a veritable kaleidoscope of history, culture, heritage, modernisation, and progress. In this week’s “Cultural Rendezvous”, Dr. Khalfan Hamed Alharrasi, an Assistant Professor at the University of Nizwa, will give us an overview of Oman and its culture.

Oman is rich in forts and castles. Mutrah Fort is one of the must-visit forts.(Photo: seeyapa.com)

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/cultural-rendezvous/things-you-should-know-about-oman-924205.vov

Bhutan is a country unlike any other, a land where monks still meditate for years in the sacred caves to the East. A country ruled by a monarch who freely gave up his absolute power to usher in democracy. A place where progress is officially measured by happiness, rather than Gross National Product, using the government’s pioneering Gross National Happiness system. The first carbon-negative country in the world, Bhutan has preserved its mountains, forests and people on its journey to modernise, a feat that is totally unique in the history of this world. Needrup Zangpo, Executive Director of the Bhutan Media Foundation shares more interesting Bhutan’s facts.

Taktsang Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Photo: https://www.littlebhutan.com/

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/cultural-rendezvous/interesting-bhutans-facts-921654.vov

Bhutan is not just a country, but a concept that has been fascinating to many. The Kingdom of Bhutan is caught between China and India, in the Eastern Himalayas. It has a population of roughly 750,000 people, and Thimphu, the capital, sits in the west. Never colonized, and isolated due to its geography, Bhutan developed a strong national identity and culture. In today’s program, we’ll have Needrup Zangpo, Executive Director of Bhutan Media Foundation, to share with us some interesting facts about the country.

Bhutan's capital Thimphu. (Photo: Britannica.com)

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/cultural-rendezvous/bhutans-unique-culture-gross-national-happiness-index-919585.vov