The Festival of Lights, also known as “Boun Lai Heua Fai”, is a significant and colorful celebration in Laos. The importance of illuminations during this festival is multifaceted and deeply rooted in both religious and cultural significance. So much so that we thought it would be interesting to shed light on it…
Boun Suang Heua or the Boat Racing Festival, usually happens between August and September in Luang Prabang. This year, we followed the Phanluang team in their preparations for what is one of the most important and popular festivals in Luang Prabang, attracting visitors from all over the country.
If you’re lucky enough to visit Luang Prabang, you’ll hear about (and probably visit) the Weavers Village, the Paper Village, the Pottery Village and even the Whisky Village. But a bit further out of town, on the banks of the Namkhan lies a village that less travelers venture to, Ban Donkeo, known as the Bamboo Village.
Some say it’s the most magical time of the year here in Luang Prabang. Thousands come together to watch Luang Prabang light up. Lanterns bring light and life to the city, the temples and the people. Boun Lai Heua Fai, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an event not to be missed if you’re around in October!
Luang Prabang is full of stories. Textiles, temples, ceremonies, rituals and conversations convey stories of Lao culture. As Lao culture evolves, film is emerging as a contemporary medium for storytelling, and the Luang Prabang Film Festival is at the forefront of nurturing modern storytellers and cinema in Laos and across Southeast Asia.
I’m pretty sure I picked (unconsciously!) the best time of year to be working with Ock Pop Tok! Hi! My name is Madison McClintock and I’m a filmmaker/visual artist from the U.S. working with Ock Pop Tok for four months.
Chef Keo was born just down the Mekong from here, in a small village outside of Luang Prabang.
Humblebrag: we have some pretty amazing women here at Ock Pop Tok. Of the current team members, 75 percent are women — many of those in leadership roles.
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