The initial sketch of the giant painting.

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Artist Tran Lam Binh, who initiated this project, said that he sent an application to the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to ask for a licence for this community art project. He had not received an official answer from the department until he read a local newspaper, which reported the project was not allowed to be show on the wall of the Van Mieu Temple.

“I think the authorities are worried about potentially impacting on the ancient site when many people gather to draw the painting. However, we will seek a suitable place for this project,” Lam Binh said.

He said though he has to change the place, this project would still be supported by sponsors.

“This is an art project for the people and we don’t ask for funds from the state budget so we wish to have the support of everybody,” Lam Binh said.

Twenty-eight painters are brainstorming to think up a new location, where people can participate. This is a project celebrating the 1000^th great anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi so it must be held in Hanoi.

The group also decided to lengthen the painting from 2000m to 2010m to coincide with the year 2010, the year of Hanoi’s 1000^th anniversary.

The record sized painting is scheduled to be completed betweenDecember 4-16, with five key contents: history, famous people, culture, weather and folk art of Hanoi. The people will be the authors while professional artists will play the role of advisers.

Thu Huyen