[Tlc] L-Vientiane anniversary

[justinm at ucr.edu]

FYI.
best,
justin

2008-0225 - VOA - Vientiane Prepares to Commemorate 450th
Anniversary

http://www.voanews.com/lao/2008-02-25-voa3.cfm?rss=topstories

Vientiane Prepares to Commemorate 450th Anniversary
By Dara Baccam
21/02/2008

Report in Lao from Bangkok by Songrit, 1.10 MB - Download (MP3)
Report in Lao from Bangkok by Songrit, 1.10 MB - Listen to (MP3)

Vientiane administration officials are actively working on
their preparations for the 450th commemoration of the founding
of the Laotian capital in late 2010.

Ms. Vanpheng Keonakhone, head of the Vientiane Information and
Culture Department says preparations are being made in seven
project areas, including reviewing and researching the history
of the city to be published in a 450-year history book,
registering and cataloguing important historical artifacts and
sites such as the That Luang Shrine to be included in the
book, as well as reconstructing and preserving the ancient
wall of the city and turning it into a tourist attraction.

Other projects include building a new city landmark and a new
city adminstration headquarters, a trade fair, a beauty
pageant, a sport competition and a campaign to instill a
feeling of harmony, unity and patriotism among the residents
as well as pride in their capital city.

Officials say they will also launch a campaign to invite and
encourage overseas Laotians to come back and visit their
motherland and participate in the national development.

Listen to our Laos Today report for more details in Lao.

______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
2617 Humanities Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu