Lao writers receive awards for competition promoting Laos-Vietnam Friendship Year

The poetry titled “Deuan Yim lae Dao Yaem” written by Venerable Monk Phaivanh Malavong  author  with the pen name “Loukdonekaden “ and the short story “Hak lavang Hob” written ”  by Panya Phanthilath declared the winners of a literature competition held to celebrate the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Year.

Vice President of Laos Dr Bounthong Chitmany presents awards to the winners of the literature competition.

The contest was organised by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the Lao Writers Association.
The story “Laoleuang Mittaphab Lao-Vietnam” by Hansana Sisane, a writer who uses the pen name “Phor Phaibarnpa”, the story named “Saychai Thi Mankhong” by Khankham Soutthavilay, the short story “Khon song Phaendin” by Khamphout Thepphanom and the poetry “Hom bor heuai huk bor hai Mittapharb” won the second prize in the competition. Six other stories won the third prize.
The President of the Lao Writers Association Mr Thongbay Phothisane, said several activities were organised to celebrate the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Year.
As part of the celebrations, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the Lao Writers Association organised the printing of the Lao version of the book “Tarmhoi pavatsad seubsarnmounseua Bonsenthang Hochimin naipheunphaendinlao” for the second time. A total of 2,000 copies of the book were edited and published for distribution across the nation. It was also translated into the Vietnamese language and 3,000 copies were published for distribution nationwide.
A total of 17 senior writers, national artists, and acclaimed writers and poetry were invited to write about “Mounseua samakkhy mittapharb Laos-Vietnam”. The publication includes eight documentary stories, four short stories and six poetry, and 2,000 copies were published for distribution nationwide to celebrate the special occasion.
The literature competition attracted 235 stories, including 56 documentary stories, 47 short stories and 132 poetry.
The committee for the competition selected the two best stories for the first prize, four stories for the second prize and six stories for the third prize. Thirty stories were selected for congratulatory prizes.
All the awards were presented to the winners last Friday. The award-winning stories will be compiled and published for distribution nationwide.
Seventeen senior writers received congratulatory certificates.  
Vice President Dr Bounthong Chitmany, attended the awards ceremony. He said, “This success is a valuable gift as well as the good smell of frangipani and lotus, which is a national flower of the two countries that are celebrating the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Year.”
He added, “The stories based on real history promote relations and friendship between the two nations and also enhance the cooperation between the two countries.”
Dr Bounthong urged Lao writers, poetry and public organisations to promote the creation of Lao literature.

By Sisouphan Amphonephong
(Latest Update September 29, 2022)