Lao Voices

Last month my aunt in Vientiane took my cousins to check out the Lao Children’s Book Festival at the Children’s Educational Development Center in Vientiane. It was raining when they got there on the last day of the book festival but after sky became clear, streams of parents with their kids arrived for an educational and fun-filled day. There were many activities to keep everyone happy. Check out the news article from the Vientiane Times newspaper for a complete coverage of the event.

Fourth book festival a novel event

Storytelling contests, painting workshops, choral singing and poetry readings were features of the fourth book festival held in Vientiane on June 6-7.

More than 2,000 young people attended the festival, which was held at the Vientiane Children’s Educational Development Centre on Luang Prabang Road , across from the Chao Fa Ngum Statue.

Organiser Soulaphy Vilavong said the event aimed to boost children’s love of reading.

“We want to show the public how important it is for their children to read books,” she said.

“The event included many activities designed to improve the abilities of children and this year we made all of the activities bigger in order to allow more young people to participate.”

During the festival children enjoyed looking at exhibitions of books and learning about how to protect the environment. They were also able to meet with writers and illustrators to learn about drawing and writing techniques.

“This year we estimate there were between 2,000 and 2,500 guests, a significant increase compared to last year’s festival which attracted about 1,000 people,” Ms Soulaphy said.

Mr Khammany Inthason, 46, took his children to the event.

“It’s very enjoyable for families because parents are also interested and pleased to see their children participate in activities such as story telling and other fun games,” he said.

“I thought it was particularly good for the children to meet writers and find out how books are created. I take my children to the festival every year, because I live close by and my children ask me to take them.”

The book festival was organised in collaboration with more than 50 government and non-government organisations, including the National Library and the Foundation for Education.

The opening of the event was attended by Vientiane Education Centre Director, Mr Khamphuang Chounmaly, Ministry of Education Head of Office, Mr Bounsouk Thilasak, and officials from Action with Lao Children.

By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA
June 11, 2008
Vientiane Times - Vientianetimes.org.la