From Factory Floor to Poetry Hub: The Poesiomat Arrives at Hanoi’s Complex 01
19.05.2026 / 06:52 | Aktualizováno: 19.05.2026 / 11:03
Poesiomat – a living artwork that speaks, sings, recites poetry, and tells stories – has officially found its voice at Complex 01, marking the first appearance of this unique public art project in Vietnam. Entirely mechanical, the machine quietly stands there through wind, sunshine, rainstorms, and beautiful days alike. No screen, no headphones, no distance. With just the turn of a handle, layers of sound and memory begin to unfold.
In the middle of bustling Hanoi, visitors suddenly find themselves transported to Prague, walking through historic squares while listening to the bells of „The Prague Astronomical Clock“, then stepping into metro stations with announcement voices familiar to anyone who has ever lived in Czechia. Alongside them are timeless symphonies, lyrical poems, and childhood stories every Czech child knows by heart. All the warmth, intimacy, and familiarity of our homeland seem to be gathered inside the Hanoi Poesiomat.
A spontaneous performance by poet Honza Do of The Carrier Pigeon in both Vietnamese and Czech felt like a sound-letter crossing borders, dedicated to those who have left home, fallen in love with another city, lived through passionate youthful years, or simply carried the quiet ache of missing home.
But the Hanoi Poesiomat does not only tell stories about the Czech Republic. Half of its playlist also carries the stories of Vietnam through the voices of young Vietnamese artists, sound experiments that are at once traditional and contemporary, soft yet dynamic, nostalgic yet new. A Hanoi full of memories, yet never standing still.
Especially meaningful was the presence of the former director of the printing factory before this place became Complex 01 today. Within the same space, cultural and artistic dialogues found a shared voice of empathy and connection, dissolving the distances between generations, languages, cultures, and nations.
Art does not necessarily belong only inside museums or galleries. It can exist in the middle of a city, in a courtyard, beneath a tree, and among people, wherever someone might stop for a moment to touch, turn, and listen. That is the most beautiful thing about Poesiomat.
Poesiomat is now at Complex 01. If you find yourself exploring this vibrant creative space, make sure to stop by and say hello to our new „cultural ambassador“. This unique jukebox for poetry and music stands as a beautiful symbol of Czech-Vietnamese friendship, bridging the gap between Prague and Hanoi through the power of sound. Take a moment to step out of the bustling daily rush, choose a track, and listen. Perhaps there is a melody, a poem, or a familiar soundscape waiting to connect with you.