On the occasion of the Europe Day (May 9) and in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation in Viet Nam, on the afternoon of May 8, 2026, the National Library of Viet Nam, in collaboration with the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation in Viet Nam, held the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Journey into the Ninth Space – The Art of Wallonie-Bruxelles Comics.”

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung, Director of the National Library of Viet Nam, and Mr. Pierre Du Ville, Head of the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation in Viet Nam, co-chaired the ceremony.

Among the Vietnamese guests attending the event, there were Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director General of the International Cooperation Department, and Ms. Doan Quynh Dung, Deputy Director General of the Department of Grassroots Culture, Family and Libraries under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

International guests included Mr. Karl Van Den Bossche, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Viet Nam, and Ms. Nasly Isabel Bernal Prado, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to Viet Nam.

The event was also attended by representatives of various agencies, organizations, and professional associations; leaders of libraries across Hanoi; as well as a large number of visitors and readers passionate about comic art.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, representatives of the Organizing Committee emphasized that comics, often regarded as the “Ninth Art,” constitute an important part of the cultural life of the French-speaking community in Belgium. Over the past century, nearly one thousand artists and scriptwriters have contributed to making Wallonie-Bruxelles one of the cradles of European comic art. From its early beginnings in newspapers and magazines, Belgian comics have evolved remarkably with distinctive full-color hardcover albums, while also expanding their influence into cinema and the digital industry.

The exhibition showcases nearly 60 typical authors, artists, and scriptwriters representing different generations of French-speaking Belgian comic art. Through works spanning various genres such as adventure, history, humor, fantasy, realism, and experimental graphic novels, the exhibition vividly reflects social life, history, and contemporary creative trends.

Through this exhibition, the Organizing Committee hopes to strengthen cultural exchange between Viet Nam and the Wallonie-Bruxelles community, while offering the Vietnamese public opportunities to gain deeper insight about Belgian comic art — a highly creative art form with international influence.

The exhibition takes place from May 8 to 15, 2026 at the National Library of Viet Nam, 31 Trang Thi Street, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi.

Some photos from the event:

Overview of the Exhibition Opening Ceremony

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung, Director of the National Library of Viet Nam, delivered a welcome speech at the Exhibition Opening Ceremony

Mr. Pierre Du Ville, Head of the Wallonia-Brussels Delegation in Viet Nam, delivered remarks at the ceremony

Delegates, visitors, and readers explore the exhibition

_____________

News: Duong Giang; Photos: Hoang Dung