The year 2024 is an exciting one for Lao handicrafts! Not only was the Naga weaving motif approved as a form of intangible world cultural heritage by UNESCO, but Laos is also hosting the 9th ASEAN Traditional Textile Symposium for the first time in November, following the 23rd Lao Handicraft Festival.
Lao Handicraft Association President, Mrs Souvita Phaseuth, said the annual Lao Handicraft Festival will be held at Lao-ITECC from October 26-November 3 to showcase cotton and silk textiles, jewellery, basketry, pottery, wood carvings, traditional musical instruments, furniture, and popular Lao foods and herbs.
There will also be exhibitions from other ASEAN countries, the CBI, JICA volunteers, and the Mottainai Project, according to the Lao Handicraft Association.
The festival will showcase a wide range of traditional and modern handicrafts made by people from around the country, allowing artisans to find new markets for their products and discuss their experiences with other artisans.
Lao Handicraft Association Vice President, Mr Phouthong Saisanith, said the festival will take the themes: “Crafts are the Heart of Tourism” and “Connecting ASEAN Textile Heritage”.
The event’s main objectives are to highlight Lao National Handicraft Day on November 1 and to celebrate UNESCO’s recognition of the naga motif in weaving.
With 2024 being Visit Laos Year, the theme “Crafts are the Heart of Tourism” is a powerful reminder of the growing market for handicrafts among tourists, and visitors are encouraged to purchase items since they are keen to buy handmade goods that reflect Lao craftsmanship and are unique to Laos.
There will also be a contest on the theme “Naga crafts”, with an award given to the winner by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, and a contest titled “Local flower design” with an award to be presented by the President of the Advisory Board of the Lao Handicraft Association.
In addition, demonstrations of handicraft making will be given, which are always a big attraction for visitors to the festival.
There will also be daily stage performances and fashion shows.
On November 1, there will be a charity fashion show where models will wear garments featuring the naga motif, as part of a project called “Caring for the Less Fortunate”.
After the festival, the 9th ASEAN Traditional Textile Symposium (ATTS9) will take place at the Landmark Riverside Hotel, from November 4-6.
Mrs Phaiphone Saiyadeth, the ATT9 Secretariat, together with Dr Linda McIntosh, ATTS9 Programme Coordinator, outlined the programme and highlighted some of activities that are scheduled for this 3-day and 4-night event. This important occasion will not only be attended by people from ASEAN Member States but will also attract textile enthusiasts from around the world. The ASEAN Traditional Textile Symposium presents the study and research of traditional textiles made in ASEAN or Southeast Asia. The goal is to record and preserve this priceless cultural heritage.
The symposium will include demonstrations and exhibitions of textiles from each ASEAN Member State. ATTS9 is a major international event that attracts important people and is a great opportunity for the host country to showcase their textiles and capacities to the world.
The ASEAN Traditional Textile Symposium was initiated by the Traditional Textile Arts Society of Southeast Asia (TTASSEA), an ASEAN entity.
The organisation’s mission is to preserve traditional textiles through science and education, and aims to inspire people to value cultural heritage.
The first ATTS was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2005, and subsequent symposiums were held by other ASEAN countries every 2-3 years.
The 8th IASSRT Symposium will be part of ATTS9. The International Association for the Study of Silk Road Textiles (IASSRT) is internationally renowned and is housed at the China National Silk Museum. It was previously held in China, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.
IASSRT Symposiums attract scholars, museum personnel, and researchers worldwide. The proposed presenters for the 2024 symposium include a retired curator from the Victoria & Albert Museum in the UK, a French natural dye expert, and researchers from the Netherlands, Madagascar, Malaysia, Thailand, the US, Indonesia and China.
For more information, visit www.9th-attslaos.com
Latest Update June 19, 2024