Lao folk dancing has been passed down many generations. (Photo courtesy of Dien Bien provincial Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism) The title was granted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism during aceremony held in Dien Bien last week.
With ancient origins and created and developed through labour andcommunity communication, the art of Lao folk dance is the creative result ofmany generations.
According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sport andTourism, the art is practiced, preserved and promoted in 16 villages in ninecommunes of the two districts.
Although each dance presents different contents, all of them showthe aspiration for a peaceful and happy life, regardless of hardshipschallenges.
A unique and indispensable cultural activity of Lao people, the folk dance hasbeen staged on significant occasions such as Lunar New Year Festival, LaosWater Festival, wedding, new house celebration, new rice celebration, andother cultural events of the community.
In the past, to preserve the dance, the Culture Department hasconducted some solutions, focusing on honouring Lao ethnic artisans. Those whomeet the criteria, will be awarded the Meritorious Artisan in the field ofIntangible Cultural Heritage.
In addition, the province has paid attention to creating opportunities for theartisans to practice and to teach the dance, promoting the heritage’s values inthe community.
Every year, Dien Bien has organised several festivals, which agendas includethe dance performances by Lao ethnic artisans. They also were offered chance toattend cultural and art exchange programmes with other provinces nationwide.
Not only that, dance troupes have been founded in every Lao hamlet,contributing to the preservation and promotion the unique values of folk songsand dance of their ethnic group.
At present, seven of nine hamlets in Dien Bien district, and six out of sevenin Dien Bien Dong district have their own art troupe.
Photographs and objects about cultural life and about Lao dance are on displayat the Dien Bien provincial Museum.
Alongside the preservation of Lao dance, the province is also attentive toconserve the Lao ethnic festivals including Bun Huot Nam – the Water SplashingFestival, and Kin Khau Ho – the new rice celebration. during thesefestivals, folk dances have been performed by local Lao people./.
VNA
