Dragons & Fairies

Enter a magical place where five centuries-old folktales bring to life the culture and traditions of Viet Nam. You then explore these folktales through hands-on activities, games, and a variety of performances. Enter a folktale "theater" and listen: The Story of One Hundred Eggs" is the tale of King Lac Long Quan, a descendant of dragons, who marries the fairy Au Co. Their sons are the ancestors of the Viet Nam people. The Legend of the Rice Cakes is a story about how a young prince named Tiet Lieu and his wife please the Emperor Hung Vuong by creating two types of rice cake—a round cake which symbolized Heaven and a square one which symbolizes earth. The Story of the Betel and Areca Nut explains why betel leaves, areca nuts, and limestone are traditionally presented to a bridegroom’s family. The Legend of Chu Cuoi tells the tale of a young man who accidentally discovers a Banyan tree possessing magical healing powers. An Tiem and the Watermelons is a story about a hard-working orphan who prospers after being tested by the king who adopted him.

Outside the folktale theaters, take a ride on a scooter and experience the “streets” of a modern Viet Nam city. Take part in preparations for Tet Nguyen Dan, the Lunar New Year, and learn how to perform the Dragon dance. Work on a houseboat, explore a home where you can build an altar to honor an ancestor, and examine what modern Vietnamese children carry in their backpacks. You can even learn about your personality based on the year you were born by creating Zodiac Rubbings using replicas of traditional Vietnamese wood blocks.

Dragons & Fairies is part of the Freeman Foundation Asian Initiative. The exhibit is one of seven traveling exhibits in the initiative designed to promote a better understanding of Asian cultures. Dragons & Fairies will travel to 10 different museums before concluding the tour in 2008.