Twenty-six out of 100 bronze drums being cast for the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi have now been completed, said a representative of the Thang Long-Hanoi Organizing Board at a meeting on March 16.
A representative of the Thang Long-Hanoi Organizing Board tests out one of the completed drums in Hanoi on March 16. (Photo:VOV)
The meeting was held at the Vietnam Revolution Museum in Hanoi by the Vietnam History Science Association.
In addition, 32 casting molds are now ready to make the other drums, said the representative.
To create the instruments, which are reproductions of the time-honored Ngoc Lu, Hoang Ha, Song Da and Quang Xuong drums, artisans are using traditional bronze-casting methods.
The drums are also being decorated using patterns and designs based on the originals, and will feature images related to Thang Long and Hanoi.
Ninety-nine of the 100 drums, which will measure 60 centimeters in diameter and 48 centimeters in height, are being cast in Dong Son District, believed to be the home of bronze-drum casting in Vietnam.
A final drum, which will measure 1 meter in diameter and 79 centimeters in height, will be adorned with 1,000 dragon images and cast in the Hung Temple dedicated to Vietnam’s founders, the Hung Kings on the 10th of the Third Month, 2010 of the lunar calendar.
The remaining 74 drums are expected to be finished in August, 2010.
Once completed, all 100 drums will be displayed at Hanoi’s Temple of Literature and will be played just once at the grand ceremony for the millennium anniversary in October. They will then be presented to 63 cities and provinces, as well as to selected enterprises nationwide.
One of the drums will also be auctioned off, with the proceeds going towards helping poor children and children who are victims of Agent Orange.
