After That Luang Fair was merrily performed, the Fair for That Inghang Stupa in Savannakhet will take place on 19-24 December 2007. More special activities will be performed. All are aiming to promote tourism in the five central provinces and also commemorate the first anniversary of the 2nd Laos -Thailand Friendship Bridge between Savannakhet and Mukdahan.

Concurrently to these above, in December there will also be some fairs of the different ethnic minority groups such as; Boun kin Chieng of Hmong people, New Year of Tai Dam, Tai Lue, Khmou and so on. Afterwards, there will be the Fair of Elephants will be organized in the district of Parklay, the northern province of Sayabouli in Febrary 15-17, and the fairs of Wat Phou in Champassak, Sikhottabong in Khammouane in February 19-21.

Each individual Fair has special color and different atmosphere due to their locations, histories and local people. The Buddhist rites in Laos are almost the same while those for spirits worships and Brahmanism are slightly different. If we have a close look for each individual ceremonial rite, we will see some of its differences in beliefs, traditions and cultures for conservations and promotions.

The Fairs are the most attractive activities, the exhibitions of richness of natural resources and the displays of the lively products for tourism. The Fairs also have its own unique and have been acceptable since the early time. Each individual fair has its own name, time, rules and its arrangements.

The plural ethnic minorities of Lao people love each other; they are in unity of common sense for peace loving. So the assistances for the fairs performance are the most important in the ways of Lao people lives, since these activities can provide the best occasions to give times for relatives and friends to meet each other as well as to share ideas, knowledge and experiences. The hosts take these opportunities to prepare the big feasts. Young people also take this time to use the nice costumes dressing and friends finding. Monks, chanters, singers and musicians and other talented people also take these chances to show their skills. So the fairs give many things involving love, warm welcome, happiness and recognition of the abilities, honors and dignities.

All fairs are important for human and spirits but in Sayabouli, the importance is the Elephants Fair. Last year, the first two days the elephant fair was organized in Bane Viengkeo, Hongsa district which obtained great merits. Seventy elephants took part and more thane 15.000 visitors, a good income. The assured most important was to make the people of the world to see the situation of the elephants in Laos and in Asia and willing to support the elephant preservation, and to conserve the Lao Lanxang to be worthy and sustainable, existing in this land for ever. This event made Sayabouli and Laos well known for tourism. The name of Sayabouli has been in well known the world since its first elephants fair. It is observed that the power of elephants can make attractive performances to Lao and foreigners.

For the 2008 Elephants Fair, the Asian Elephant Preservation Project with the collaboration of the the Lao National Tourism Administration, Ministry of Information and Culture, the local administrations including sponsors, (companies and individual people) they will set bigger elephant fair, more activities will be shown and expect that there will be more than 15.000 visitors. It that will be assured all visitors will understand more about the meaning of Lao Lanxang.

All merit makers, whatever fairs will be taken place (That Inghang Fair, Boun Kin Chieng, Boun Wat Phou or the Elephant Fair), please make your choices. If you select both the fairs of people and elephants, you will get more merits. Whatever fairs or festivals are selected to visit, you are all welcome. All! May god protect you.

 

Editor
Hongheun KHOUNPHITHACK

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