Soukthavy Thephavong
(KPL) A new draft Law on Performing Arts was presented at the ongoing 3rd Ordinary Session of the National Assembly on May 4 by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Bosengkham Vongdara, and is expected to be approved this session.
Lawmakers brainstormed the law as Minister Bosengkham said it was designed to protect the long-practiced and inherited arts of the country as well as to promote effective regulation of performing arts in the country.
“This law will be a tool for relevant sectors and authorities that can be used universally across the country to regulate performing arts activities and it will be a reference for authors, artists and performing arts entrepreneurs to practise their profession,” said Minister Bosengkham.
The minister said that the law will help encourage the masses to take part in researching, rehabilitating, conserving and developing as well as promoting performing arts and tackle the manmade downsides of performing arts in society.
“The law is also a reference for promoting cooperation between our country and friendly countries in the regional and international communities,” added Mr Bosengkham Vongdara.
The law, which comprises 12 charters and 74 articles, has been developed on the Presidential Decree on Performing Arts dated Sep 14, 2015.
“I agree that we should devise this law on performing arts to ensure the management of art in our country. However, I would like this law to be more internationally characterised as this will ensure our integration into the international community," said Mr Lom Phengsouk, an NA member representing Bolikhamxay Province, the 11th constituency.
“This new law needs to ensure that all Lao multi-ethnic people will understand and obey it before it is approved and enforced by relevant authorities,” he added.
KPL