Lao Voices

Lao textile and art products attracted much attention at the Asean Award of Excellence in Arts and Crafts from March 10 to 12 in Thailand, according to the Lao National Arts and Crafts Committee.

Committee representative Hansana Sisane said many people attending the awards were interested in Lao products displayed at the event, held at the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, Thailand.

“We received a trophy and US$1,000 as a cash prize for hand woven pharlaijok style textiles made by the Phao tai-daeng people from northern Laos, where weaving techniques are very different from those in other parts of the country,” Mr Hansana said.

He added the techniques used in this style of weaving have been handed down through many generations in Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces.

The Asean Award of Excellence in Arts and Crafts is a project implemented by the Asean Sub-committee on Culture with Thailand as coordinator.

At the awards ceremony, the host country received the most number of prizes, but each participating country received an award for their unique products, Mr Hansana said.

“We only received one award, but many visitors came to our booth asking about our products,” he said, adding, “I’m still receiving inquiries about the goods we displayed.”

Mr Hansana, who is also P resident of the Lao Textile Museum, said at the project evaluation ceremony yesterday that of the 10 Asean member countries, only Brunei did not attend the event. Each nation had one member on the judging panel.

Awards were given in six categories: textiles, basketry, jewellery or metalwork, pottery, wood or stone carving and innovative or contemporary mixed media products such as recycled waste materials.

“This is the first time this event has been organised, and I attended as a government representative to showcase Lao arts and crafts from three private companies,” Mr Hansana said.

The three organisations entering products at the event were Kanchana: the Beauty of Lao Silk, River View Textile and the Lao Sercul Ture Company Limited.

To enter, applicants must be handicraft artisans, community groups, cooperatives or companies or distributors from an Asean member country.

Each member country is encouraged to submit at least one piece in each category of the event, where a total of 10 awards were given on the basis of quality and design.

Textile and handicraft products from all Asean countries were exhibited in Thailand from March 12 to 31.

By Panyasith Thammavongsa
April 8, 2008
Vientiane Times