Laos steps up efforts to preserve cultural heritage

It is hoped the signing of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage will help to protect and preserve cultural diversity in Laos.

Laos became a party to the convention in January in a bid to preserve longstanding cultural and traditional treasures, from the grassroots through to the national level.

The convention aims to protect and preserve cultural items such as local legends and myths, traditional music, drama and theatre, musical instruments and the lifestyle of the Lao people that has been passed on from generation to generation.

An Intangible Cultural Heritage Sub-Department under the Ministry of Information and Culture will be set up to implement the convention, Director General of the National Heritage Department, Mr Thongsa Sayavongkhamdy, said yesterday.

“We have worked very hard for a long time to become a party to the convention and finally our efforts have paid off.”

“This agreement will benefit the culture sector because UNESCO has much experience and expertise in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Their experience will help us to work inventively and effectively,” Mr Thongsa said.

The department will also set up a committee to work with experts from UNESCO to conduct research into the nation's cultural heritage.

In the past, the history of musical instruments and legends was recorded by Lao people, but the research lacked proper structure and could not be used to verify national heritage status, Mr Thongsa said.

“We need to carry out as much research as possible on the intangible cultural heritage of Laos to avoid that heritage being forgotten or removed from our nation and ensure that it remains in Laos for future generations to enjoy.”

Mr Thongsa said globalisation means Laos must develop while ensuring it protects and preserves its cultural heritage.

The department's committee will approach officials in the nation's 17 provinces to consider items of cultural significance, which will then be classified as culturally valuable on either a local or national level.

“If our some aspects of Lao culture are regarded as having high enough value they may be proposed for listing at the world heritage level,” Mr Thongsa said.

“Researching and registering the nation's cultural heritage is crucial to promoting public awareness of items of cultural value,” he said.

By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun
(Latest Update March 10, 2010)