“Flowers from Waste” – Using art and poetry to spread the message of environmental protection and recycling
On the evening of October 10, 2024, Van Lang University collaborated with the Feelings artist group to host a remarkable art program titled “Flowers from Waste” at Trinh Cong Son Hall, with over 1,600 attendees and guests.
In her opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu, President of Van Lang University, emphasized the program's goal of inspiring students to take action for positive change: “Whether we send flowers or waste to the environment depends entirely on human consciousness. Discussions about waste, environmental protection, and sustainable development often feel dry and fail to touch hearts. But music and poetry can gently and beautifully resonate with people's emotions”.
Reflecting the program’s name, poet Nguyen Duy shared:
“Literally, 'Flowers from Waste' means finding recyclable materials in waste to create beautiful products. Figuratively, it’s about discovering beauty within what is considered unappealing (waste)”.
Through various art performances, the program successfully conveyed nature’s plea for help and underscored the importance of recycling and reusing materials.
The event opened with a showcase of recycled fashion designs by Van Lang University students from the Clothes The Loop competition. Using plastic waste, old clothes, and donated items collected through the university’s Reusable Items Campaign, young designers skillfully transformed seemingly worthless materials into unique, personalized outfits. Each design intricately combined aesthetic appeal with the determination of Van Lang University’s younger generation to give waste a new life.
With boundless creativity, Feelings Art House, The Star group, and Van Lang University students crafted a colorful “garden” divided into four chapters: “Love for the Homeland”, “Scatter and Collect”, “The Multicolored Environment” and “Flowers from Waste”. Through a harmonious blend of stage settings, recycled decorations, sound, lighting, and the passionate performances of talented artists, the audience experienced a spectrum of emotions—from anguish and sorrow to a renewed hope for a greener future—conveyed through powerful choreography, songs, and heartfelt vocals.
Highlights included a haunting monologue depicting the pain endured by “Mother Earth”, a dramatic revolving dance on a tower of recycled materials, and a medley of songs in various genres. These performances emphasized the real value of waste and the profound message of granting it a second life to serve the planet.
The program's most memorable moment was an interactive session with poet Nguyen Duy, Vice Director of the Institute of Culture, Arts, and Media at Van Lang University, and Mr. Ngo Viet. Nguyen Duy's heartfelt and simple yet poignant verses deeply touched the audience, awakening a sense of individual responsibility for environmental protection:
"I walk along the river, picking up trash
Seeing my shadow hurts my heart
Where does this waste come from?
It starts from the mind, doesn’t it?
I beautify my homeland,
From the grass to the human touch,
The Perfume River sparkles with smiles,
Heavenly waste: fallen leaves on the road..."
(RAC THIEN DUONG [HEAVENLY WASTE] - Poet Nguyen Duy).
The program left the audience reflecting deeply on the fate of the planet while igniting hope for a brighter, greener future. Gia Hiep, a Digital Arts & Design student, expressed amazement at witnessing such an innovative art form for the first time. Through the recurring motifs of Flowers and Waste in the fashion showcase and artistic performances, he grasped a clear message: to restore our planet to its original, pristine green state.
News: Ngoc Khanh
Photos: Minh Tri, Hieu Hoa
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