The two paintings were created by artist José Alex Chávez, who works under the pen name Aleph. He trained at a long-established fine arts school in El Salvador and was a student of Spanish painter Valero Lecha — honoured as the “father of Salvadoran painting”.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on 29 September 2025 in Ha Noi, Ambassador Ruben Omar Orozco Burgos said that a memorable moment was after the major earthquake on 3 May 1973 in El Salvador, when an art auction was organised to raise funds for national reconstruction. The work that fetched the highest price was a painting by Valero Lecha, the teacher who guided Aleph. It can be said that Aleph inherited and developed the cultural and artistic essence of El Salvador, while at the same time expressing a unique vision of the world.
“Today, we are deeply honoured that one of his works is being presented to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum — a cultural landmark of Ha Noi and the nation. We respectfully ask that the painting be cherished, displayed in a dignified place for the public to admire, and, if possible, accompanied by a small plaque stating: ‘Gift of the Embassy of El Salvador’. I also express the same wish regarding the work presented to Wellspring Ha Noi International Bilingual School,” said the ambassador.
The painting features many familiar images of El Salvador: golden and red cashew fruit, pomegranates, and beans — staples in the Salvadoran daily diet. It also depicts the trompo — a traditional spinning-top game linked with childhood — and the tecomate — an indigenous vessel once used by farmers to carry water before plastic containers existed. These are combined with the image of a buffalo — a familiar symbol of agricultural life.
These details both reflect Salvadoran culture and evoke parallels with Viet Nam. Vietnamese people say that “the buffalo is the head of the household economy”, highlighting its importance in rural life. Before machinery, the buffalo was like a family member, making a vital contribution to farming. This similarity is a vivid testament to the bond between Viet Nam and El Salvador.
The artwork is linked to the title “Noble Amigo de El Salvador” — a prestigious honour recognising individuals and organisations with positive contributions to El Salvador — awarded to Wellspring Ha Noi International Bilingual School.
The painting depicts a schoolyard with a giant chessboard where teachers, pupils and parents can gather to play. It is not only an intellectual game but also a community activity that strengthens bonds.
“I believe this painting will inspire learning, aspirations for integration and a spirit of humanity in the younger generation, particularly in an international bilingual education environment. This is not only a cultural event but also a reflection of El Salvador’s view that education is a sustainable bridge connecting nations, nurturing friendship and mutual understanding,” Ambassador Ruben Omar Orozco Burgos affirmed.
The presentation of such a distinguished work at a bilingual school in Viet Nam carries symbolic significance, acting as a cultural and educational bridge and reaffirming the role of education in spreading universal human values.
Dr Nguyen Vinh Son, General Principal of Wellspring Ha Noi, stressed: “The painting is a precious symbol of cultural diplomacy, as well as a reminder for Vietnamese pupils in general and Wellspring students in particular to nurture humanity, a thirst for knowledge and the responsibility to become global citizens.”
Principal Son also underlined that the work’s image of a chessboard represents a global symbol of intellect, strategic thinking, and sportsmanship. On the board, each piece has its own identity, role, and value, but only when they connect harmoniously do they create a balanced and radiant game. These are the very values Wellspring is committed to pursuing to foster the global citizens of the future — liberal, humanistic, and integrative.
