That Luang festival to highlight renovated grand stupa, Horphakeo

The recently renovated That Luang stupa and Horphakeo will be the centre of attraction during religious events taking place throughout the ongoing That Luang Festival.
An opening ceremony for the festival took place on Tuesday evening and was attended by senior government officials, the wives of the country’s leaders and foreign diplomats based in Laos.

Speaking at the event, the Mayor of Vientiane, Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, said this year’s festival would celebrate the Lao people’s reverence for the renovated grand stupa and Horphakeo, or Emerald Buddha Hall. 
“Another important focus will be the concept of green businesses as part of efforts to counter climate change,” the mayor said, adding that festival-goers could also enjoy cultural performances, a traditional Lao-style model house, and a trade fair.
The Vice Mayor of Vientiane, Mr Sihoun Sitthileuxay, said the annual festival and trade fair was a good opportunity for Laos to promote its One District, One Product (ODOP) goods so that these products would be recognised as national brands.
The organising committee has arranged two locations for the trade fair - Lao-ITECC, where stalls will be set up from November 6-17, and the That Luang Esplanade, where goods will be on sale from November 5-11.
“A variety of products, including food and goods made in Laos, will be on display and sale at both locations,” Mr Sihoun said, adding that a special “green garden” exhibit would highlight ways to promote a green economy. A model of the under-construction Laos-China railway will be a part of the exhibition.
Mr Sihoun also spoke about the restoration of That Luang and Horphakeo and highlighted the main work that was undertaken to renovate the city’s two great landmarks.
After the official opening of the festival, officials made a brief visit to the booths along with guests and former Party and government leaders to inspect the display of products at the That Luang esplanade. Festival-goers will have the chance to buy local products and promote a green economy by buying saplings and fruit trees.
This year, the organising committee has arranged wide walking paths at the trade fair and a mixed bag of stalls displaying both arts-related and other commodities.
There will also be a That Luang stupa consecration ceremony, followed by various religious and traditional events from November 9 to November 11.
The religious festival is held annually with celebrations lasting for at least three days and culminating on the full moon day of the 11th lunar month.
The wax castle procession will start at Vat Simeuang and proceed to That Luang temple on November 10. A mass almsgiving and the traditional game of tikhy and the final candlelight procession around the stupa will take place on November 11.

By Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
(Latest Update November 7, 2019)