Germany and Vietnam have launched a year of jointly-run cultural events to celebrate 35 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A market in Vietnam. Photo:
funny-p/stock.xchng

Germany’s ties with the south-east Asian country of Vietnam have grown steadily stronger over the last 35 years. In recognition of these generally good relations, both countries have decided to stage a series of cultural and artistic events in each other’s countries over the coming year. In Vietnam, a German Year has been launched by the German Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cornelia Pieper, with a joint concert by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic Choir. The motto of the German Year in Vietnam is “City of the Future – Future of the City.”

The cultural events planned throughout the German Year include concerts, fine arts exhibitions, dance and theatre projects, as well as special meetings, trade fairs and conferences involving academics and business people. Organisers say the aim is to portray the entire spectrum of bilateral relations between the two countries. In Germany, there will be a parallel Vietnamese Year.

The year of showcasing German culture in Vietnam is timely: at the beginning of this year Vietnam took over the chair of ASEAN, the Association of South-East Asian Nations, the most important international body in the region.