VietNamNet Bridge – Franz Xaver Augustin, head of the Goethe Institute in Hanoi, recently finished his term as director. In his six years in Vietnam, Augustin organised nearly 600 exhibitions and workshops on German literature, film and fine arts, introducing thousands to an aspect of European cultural history. VNS asked him about his impressions of Vietnam.

• What are your thoughts on Vietnamese artists? You seem to be quite popular among many of them.

You’d have to ask them if they like me or not. In general most modem Vietnamese artists are interested in the new things that are happening outside their borders. There has been remarkable progress in music and sculpture. I believe they will continue to advance further.

However, as far as I am concerned, there remain limitations in cinematography, literature, theatre, dance and architecture. In these fields, artists need current and updated information from the world. In my term in Hanoi, I tried to introduce arts information from Germany to the country.

However, I wasn’t able to hold many workshops on literature since there are too few good German-Vietnamese interpreters and translators here. As a result, the institute hosted other art activities which required less language translation.

• How has your impression of Vietnam changed over the past six years?

I understand way more about the country than I did when I first arrived in 2002. Sometimes though, I’m still surprised by something. Vietnam changes surprisingly fast. The ever-expanding economy has entered the global market. However, culture progresses more slowly.

• Can you elaborate on that?

I don’t know what to say, but as an example allow me to mention an exhibition by a German artist who is famous for drawing his subjects upside down. That means the head of the portrait is generally located at the bottom of the painting. When covering the exhibition, newspapers printed the picture of the painting in the regular position.

• What is unique about Vietnam, compared with other countries you’ve lived in?

I like the way Vietnamese people receive new things. I love Hanoi where many charming features from the past are preserved. Leaving Vietnam doesn’t mean I’ll never come back. I’m sure I’ll be back many times, Vietnam is like my second homeland. I’ve lived in many countries but I particularly like Asian nations. I’m happy that the new position will keep me in the region.

• Your work takes up a lot of time. What do you do during your free time?

I always write down what I hear and see in the countries I visit, including Vietnam. I plan to organise, in Indonesia for instance, a cultural exhibition titled ’East Meet West’. I also like listening to Vietnamese music, folk music in particular.

• What are your plans after you leave Vietnam?

I’ll be taking a job as director of the Goethe Institute for the Southeast Asia region, based in Jakarta, Indonesia. It’s a promotion. In my new position I will have chance to continue my liaison with Vietnam. After nearly six years living in the country I’m quite satisfied with what I’ve achieved.

• What will you take with you from Vietnam?

I will take with me some pieces by Vietnamese artists including paintings of landscapes and portraits of Vietnamese people. I also have a collection of black and white photographs about Vietnamese culture. I will return to my country to introduce my collection to the public.

(Source: Viet Nam News)