A Lao puppet performance at the international mask festival attracted crowed audiences to watch the show.

National Puppet Theatre Troupe participates in 2022 Phi Ta Khon and International Mask Festival in Thailand
 
A team from the National Puppet Theatre Troupe recently performed at the 2022 Phi Ta Khon and International Mask Festival in Thailand to promote Lao culture.
Department of Art and Culture Deputy Director General Ms Vanhsy Soukchaleune, told Vientiane Times: “Our team appreciated the opportunity to take part in the festival in Thailand, which was held in Reui province from June 30 to July 3. We promoted the beautiful culture of Laos and showcased our puppet performances to audiences at the festival.”
She added, “Besides the performances, our team gained a lot in terms of awareness from knowledge exchange activities.”
The performances by teams from various countries and their cultures were very different, though audiences were interested in the Lao mask performances. “Our masks are made using waste materials and other materials that are easy to find, and the mask performances from Laos were appreciated by the crowds that visited the festival,” she said.
“Our staff and artists were well prepared and were very successful in providing entertainment to them,” she added.
The Lao team gained a lot of knowledge and experience about performances and this will motivate it to create new masks for other cultural events that can promote the country and its culture, said Ms Vanhsy.
Besides joining the parade at the 2022 Phi Ta Khon and International Mask Festival, the Lao team visited Phonxay temple, a cultural and historic tourism site, and the Phi Ta Khon Mask Monument at Phosy temple in Loei province, Thailand.
“Our troupe is now preparing for a performance to promote Lao culture in Vietnam,” Ms Vanhsy said.

By Sisouphan Amphonephong
(Latest Update July 11, 2022)