Indonesian, Lao musicians and dancers enthral audience at special event
 
Dancers, singers and musicians from Indonesia and Laos showcased the special friendship between their countries during a colourful show marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Musicians and dancers of the two nations shake hands.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Vientiane organised the cultural night on July 29 that featured performers from both countries. More than 1,000 guests attended the event at the Lao National Cultural Hall.
The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket, was the guest of honour at the event. The Indonesian Ambassador in Laos, Dr Pratito Soeharyo, said in his welcome address that the performances during the cultural night demonstrated both the closeness and richness of the Indonesian and Lao cultures, and encouraged friendship and close relations between the two sides.
The ambassador said the concerted efforts made by both countries in all fields, ranging from politics and economics to socio-cultural and people-to-people contacts, during the past 65 years will continue to strengthen further, and  significantly contribute to the building of harmonious and prosperous cooperation.
The cultural night was lively and exciting, and featured dances and songs from Indonesia and Laos. Musicians and singers from the Paulus Surya Band Orchestra of Semarang, Indonesia, performed a number of traditional and folk songs from different parts of the archipelago of 17,000 islands.
The Paulus Surya Band Orchestra collaborated with musicians from the Lao National School of Arts and Danxang Academy, led by Mr Khamsuane Vongthongkham, to perform several Lao songs and dances, including Champa Mueang Lao dan Yen Sabai Sao Na.
Indonesian dances were also performed by officers from the Ministry of National Defence of Laos.
The cultural night was attended by members of the Laos-Indonesia Friendship Association, representatives of foreign embassies in Vientiane, students of art schools in Vientiane, and the public.
The event was also attended by Indonesian riders participating in the second Wonderful Indonesia Motorbike Touring, who are currently in Laos. They are travelling through a number of Asean countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, during July 18-August 2.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update August 2, 2022)