Japan x Sabai: Sounds, Sights, Tastes, Smiles, Friendship a Feast at Tokyo’s Laos Festival ’19

Dancing, Friendship, Frivolity & Unmistakable Sound of World Heritage Listed Bamboo-Piped Khaen Among the Greetings to Tokyo’s Famous Yoyogi Park for Japan’s Laos Festival 2019, The Laotian Times reports.

Bright, colorful and intricate silk patterns shimmering in the dappled light on a warm, sunny day.

Dancing, frivolity and the unmistakable sound of the bamboo piped khaen.

The aroma of a spicy papaya salad rising as mortar hits pestle.

Such sights and sounds from the Mekong-side, these were among the first greetings to Tokyo’s famous Yoyogi Park and it’s ever popular event space as crowds gathered for Laos Festival 2019.

Ceremonial bathing of a Buddha statue followed by parade and Boun Bang Fai rocket-festival style festivities were celebrated (though thankfully no projectiles were launched!)

The seventh installment of the popular festival that commenced in 2007 drew attendees from Japan and around the world, with an estimated 150,000 folks passing through over two days at the popular event space.

Festival-goers were greeted by a range of festival stalls offering iconic food and drinks from the country known as the “Jewel of the Mekong”.

Members of the sizable ethnic Lao communities concentrated in Thailand’s North-East region of Isaan also took the opportunity to revel and share food, song, dance, and culture with their Lao, Japanese and other international friends in Japan’s capital.
Also reporting from Tokyo was Laos-based traveler and journalist Laos Briefly who was in Tokyo to capture some of the sights and sounds of the Laos Festival 2019.

https://www.facebook.com/LaosBriefly/photos/a.1795469094100748/2264730907174562/?type=3&theater

Coverage was also provided by news media from Japan and Laos alike to capture the vibes, with Lao National Television there to broadcast the excitement back home and abroad.

Among attendees was Laos’ Minister for Information, Culture & Tourism Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara.

The warmth of the close and friendly connections between folk in attendance was on full display.

In Laos-style, having fun and letting loose was the order of the day.

Entertainment was high on the agenda as popular entertainers such as Ola of Black Eyes thrilled the crowd.

Also represented were the many Japan-based Laos-active public, private and civil society organisations working to support the people of both countries and strengthen connections across borders.

These included Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), whose former volunteers continue to foster links between the people of the two nations.