Sculptor Joel Bennett works on his sculpture Peace Pyramid.

After three weeks of working with enthusiasm and passion, participants completed 35 sculptures. The camp attracted 32 sculptors, which included citizens from Canada, India, Germany, the US, Japan, China, South Korea, Latvia, Australia, Israel and Viet Nam.

“When I carve on the stone, it touches my heart and soul”, said German sculptor Wilfried Behre.

Two American sculptors Joel Bennett and Joe Brenman have a special love for the country because they both opposed the US War in Viet Nam.

Joel Bennett’s Pyramid of Peace is carved from white stone and has the word “Peace” carved in the sculpture in several different languages. The pyramid sits on top of a ceramic globe, which is 1m in diameter.

To create the globe, Bennett collected and mixed clay materials from a variety of countries and continents that he has travelled to. The sculpture was completed and brought to Phu Tho from his pottery workshop in Sonoma, California.

The workshop marks Brenman’s first time in Viet Nam since 1968, when he was a solider in the war.

“I was sent to the southern city of Quy Nhon to fight as a soldier, but I did not want to fight in the war. When I returned to my country, I joined anti-war groups to fight against the US’s meaningless war and now I have returned to Viet Nam as an artist.”

With his art, he hopes to express his gratitude and love for Viet Nam. “Vietnamese people are kind-hearted and generous. I love your country,” he says.

Indian sculptor Janak Narzay created a sculpture entitled Memorial of Eternal Culture. The piece was made from hundreds of solid cubic blocks, which was meant to symbolise the strength of each country.

The artistic and cultural works will be displayed to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of capital Ha Noi and the Hung Kings’ anniversary in 2010.

The event was organised by the provincial People’s Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, who wished to compliment the natural scenery at the Hung Kings’ Temple Complex with high-quality sculptures.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News