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King Xaysetthathirath statue ready for move to Attapeu historical park

An 18-tonne King Xaysetthathirath brass  statue has been completed in Vientiane and is ready to be moved to a park honouring the great Lao leader in Hadxaikhao village, Xaysettha district, Attapeu province.
Authorities are preparing to hold a Buddhist ceremony in Vientiane beginning today (July 21) to celebrate the milestone in the project.
Deputy Governor of Attapeu province, Mr Ounlar Xayasith reported to the media in Vientiane of Friday that the King Xaysetthathirath statue is part of a 39 billion kip national level project which was launched in 2014 and includes the construction of the park where the King’s icon will be erected.


The project statue design has King Xaysetthathirath seated upon an elephant, differentiating it from other such parks in the country. The pedestal for the statue is already installed in Attapeu province. Mr Ounlar explained the King’s statue in Attapeu aims to honour the monarch’s historic leadership to build up and protect the nation and develop the country’s southern provinces, particularly Attapeu, under the umbrella of the Lane Xang Kingdom. The monarch went to Attapeu province for two periods in 1564 and 1572 where he passed away in the same year.
King Xaysetthathirath was a wise and astute king. He protected and strengthened the development of the Lane Xang Kingdom between 1548 and 1572 and devoted all of his life and energy to building a large territorial kingdom, developing its economy and its martial skills. He instigated the construction of a city wall to protect Vientiane.
King Xaysetthathirath was also the Lao King who moved the Lane Xang capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane and initiated traditional celebrations like That Luang festival which Lao people celebrate on the 13th, 14th, and 15th days leading up to the full moon in the 12th month of the lunar calendar (around November) each year.
Director of the Committee for Sangha Foreign Affairs of the Central Buddhist Fellowship Organisation of the Lao PDR, Phar Yotkham Phadtharakesi (Dr Damrong Phimmajak) said on Friday that the casting of the King Setthathirath statue was possible thanks to the family of former President of the Lao PDR, Choummaly Sayasone as well as Vangtus Mining Company in Laos.
A Buddhist ceremony for the statue in Vientiane will be held in front of Hor Thammasapha (Buddhist Convention Hall) of Vat That Luang Neua temple from July 21-26. A statue procession will then make its way to Borikhamxay on July 27 and arrive in Khammuan province on July 28.
On July 29, it will stop in Savannakhet province and continue to Champassak province on July 30 before arriving at its destination in Attapeu on July 31 culminating in more Buddhist ceremonies and celebrations.


 

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update July 21, 2020)


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