Opening relic spaces to spread historical values
Many relics and memorials in Hai Phong are being renovated toward a more open design in harmony with the landscape and urban life.
When relics become community venues
The square around the Female General Le Chan Monument in the center of Hai Phong City is always bustling with passersby. The memorial space dedicated to the female general who pioneered the development of the ancient An Bien area has become part of the city’s everyday life.
In Lai Khe commune, the “Thunder on Road 5” Monument has adopted a similar approach. The monument was built to commemorate the victories of the military and people along Road 5 and the Ha Noi - Hai Phong railway during the resistance war against French colonial rule.
The monument area has become a space for landscaping, remembrance and traditional education. In the early morning or late afternoon, the stone-paved grounds around the monument come alive with children playing, elderly people chatting and women exercising. Since it was put into use, local residents have gained an additional community venue and a better understanding of their homeland’s history.
Currently, many historical sites, martyrs’ cemeteries and memorials in Hai Phong are being renovated toward expanding their spaces. After renovation and restoration, the appearance of the K15 No-Number Ship Wharf historical site (K15 Wharf) in Do Son Ward has changed significantly. The square, walking paths, seaside landscape and pier create connections between the relic and public spaces, helping K15 Wharf move away from the appearance of an enclosed memorial site.
Vibrant “spaces of memory”
The trend toward opening up spaces is evident not only at major monuments and relics but also at many martyrs’ cemeteries and memorials following renovation. Solid fences are gradually being replaced with greenery, squares and walking paths. The landscape is being improved to ensure solemnity while also making it easier for people to access the sites.
Beyond special occasions, these memorial spaces remain a simple part of everyday life. This is an important change in the way the value of relics is promoted.
Heritage needs to have its core values protected while also being able to interact with the community. When people can access and appropriately use these spaces, they will develop a stronger connection with them, creating a sustainable layer of protection for the heritage.
According to architect Nguyen Minh Tri, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong Association of Architects, from the perspective of architecture and urban design, public art in Hai Phong has undergone many positive changes in recent years and is becoming increasingly visible in the city’s appearance. Monuments, reliefs, murals, sculptural works and artistic decorative spaces help create highlights, enrich the landscape and convey the city’s distinctive historical and cultural values.
For Hai Phong, a city with a long history, rich revolutionary traditions and a diverse system of relics, this approach is even more meaningful. Opening up spaces does not mean reducing the solemnity of history but rather bringing history closer to the people.
THANH HOA