Laos Goes Nuclear for Lao New Year

By:  Laoconnection.com, April 28 2016

The serendipitous timing of this announcement on April 14 2016 coincided with the start of Lao New Year celebrations.  It was reported on Rosatom's website and a day later on the World Nuclear News site that Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines signed a memorandum to cooperate on planning and creating nuclear plants and research reactors in Laos.

Photo Credit:  Rosatom

Bamboo Kitchen

In remote villages of Laos, a rustic kitchen like this is not uncommon.  Bamboo's wide availability and versatility is exemplified here.  You can see it being used as building frame, weaved walls, cooking utensils, baskets, platters and bowls.

Photo Credit:  Lulu Sami

ສອນນັກຮຽນໆເຮັດສວນ / Teach Students to Garden at School

Artist Credit:  Kongngern Sengdee.

Young students being taught how to garden at school.

Lao Language: Transportation Vehicles

Lao Temples - Built by Generosity, Beautiful to Behold

In a country where communist austerity is common and displays of wealth were once considered bad taste, the Lao temple was one area where all out beautification of buildings were done.

They are built from the donations of the surrounding community.  You can sometimes find the names of donors written or painted on different parts of the temple.  It should be mentioned as well that donations aren't just local but sometimes come from abroad as well.  Additionally, while certain aspects of the construction are paid such as the materials, most of the work is done by volunteers.

Lao temples are full of artistic detail.  For those who have an interest in architecture and design, take a closer look at a temple the next time you visit. Here are some details to get you started...

Lao Groceries: Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits

One of the great things about veggies, herbs and fruits grown in Laos is that they are often free of heavy chemicals and pesticides that are so often used in modern intensive agriculture and farming in other parts of the world.  It is what those in the West would describe as organic.  Additionally, while Laos does import certain food items, plant based groceries are almost always grown and sold locally - great for locavores!

Profile on a Modern Lao Rice Farm

LaoStarTV's show Tum Geen Yu Tin Lao (ທຳກິນຢູ່ຖິ່ນລາວ) visited a Lao rice farmer who utilizes modern machinery and equipment to till the land and plant the rice. It's a contrast to just a few years ago when manual labor was used at almost all stages of rice farming.  Part 1 of 3 shown below.

Video Credit:  LaoStarTV, 06/08/2015.

Street Party Shennigans in Sayanbouli

Video Credit:  Manichanh Phanyakeo on Youtube.
Party revelers taking part in the Water Throwing Festival
as part of the Lao New Years 2559 (2016) celebrations.

Lao Word of the Day: To Raise, Breed Animals / ລ້ຽງສັດ

Lao New Year Pop-Up Altar

I'd be the first to admit that I'm not always the most conventional person when creating my once a year pop-up Buddhist altar in my home which I do during Lao New Year.  It was something my parents taught me.   I just used what I had and I encourage others to do the same!

Photo Credit:  Laoconnection.com. 
The above image is the actual home pop-altar we used for our family
this Lao New Year 2559 (2016).

Lao New Year Celebrations and Traditions Explained

Video Credit:  LaoNewsTV (from April 17, 2015)

Happy Lao New Year 2559!

April 13-15, 2016 (2559)
Photo Credit:  Laoconnection.com.  Actual photo from my living room.

Lao Fashion Week 2016 Campaign Launch

Video Credit:  LaoNewsTV, February 4, 2016

Lao Cultural Performance Exhibition 2016

ການສະແດງສິລະປະຮັບໃຊ້ກອງປະຊູມໃຫຍ່ຄັ້ງທີ10ຂອງພັກ (January 18, 2016)

Video Credit:  Lao National TV

Lao exports to EU enjoy strong growth

By:  Vientiane Times, March 14, 2016

VIENTIANE - Lao exports to the European Union amounted to 204.9 million euros from January-October 2015, growing by 16.6 percent from the same period last year.

Textiles and clothing remained the largest imported commodities from Laos making up 63 percent of total imports, growing by 8.1 percent, according to an EU report.

Lao Book Festival 2016

The Japanese international non-government organization Action with Lao Children (ALC) is partnering with the Department of Education and Sports to promote reading and literacy, for this year's Lao Book Festival 2016. 

Video Credit:  LaoNewsTV

Luangprabang Montage Drawing

Artist Unknown.