That Luang festival to showcase locally made products, Lao traditions

The That Luang Festival scheduled from November 5-11 will give local businesses the chance to display their One District, One Product (ODOP) goods as well as showcasing Lao traditions to an international audience, according to the city’s vice mayor.
Mr Sihoun Sitthileuxay made the comment at a press conference held at That Luang on Tuesday to reveal the details of the festival
The fair is expected to have 215 booths selling and displaying ODOP and tourism products on the That Luang esplanade as well as 669 booths selling import/export products, general goods, food and drinks, and toys.
Meanwhile, Lao-ITECC will have 488 booths selling both Lao and international products from November 6-17.
Mr Sihoun said the That Luang fair would be officially launched on November 5 with other highlights including a centre stage with traditional dance performances, green spaces, and themed lighting.
There will 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.
This year’s wax castle procession will start at Vat Simeuang and proceed to That Luang temple on November 10. A traditional game of tikhy and the final candlelight procession around the stupa will take place on November 11.
The festival is held every year to pay homage to the Grand Stupa, which is said to contain one of Buddha’s hairs and a chest bone. It was built over an ancient stupa in the 16th Century during the reign of King Sayasetthathirath when he moved the capital of the Lane Xang Kingdom from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
It has since become the symbol of Laos and is profoundly revered by all Lao people.

ByTimes Reporters
(Latest Update November 1, 2019)