(KPL) The 25th Lao Handicraft Festival will be held from October 31 to November 8 at the Lao-ITECC Exhibition Center in Vientiane Capital, showcasing traditional handicrafts from all 18 provinces and highlighting the role of handicrafts in cultural preservation, tourism and local economic development.

The Lao Handicraft Association (LHA), in cooperation with the Department of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (DOSMEP) under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, announced details of the festival at a press conference held at Lao-ITECC on September 21.

Held under the theme “Crafts are the Heart of Tourism, 25 Years of Growth, Weaving Wisdom, Elevating the Value of Lao Handicrafts toward World Heritage,” the nine-day festival will mark the 25th anniversary of the Lao Handicraft Festival and the 20th National Handicraft Day.

LHA President and Head of the Organizing Committee Mrs. Souvita Praseuth said the festival aims to expand market opportunities for handicraft producers, strengthen cooperation among artisans, support poverty reduction efforts and contribute to the development of tourism in Vientiane.

Deputy Director General of DOSMEP Mr. Vilakone Philomlack said the anniversary provides an opportunity to highlight the craftsmanship, traditional knowledge, cultural heritage and distinctive identity of Lao handicrafts passed down through generations.

More than 200 exhibition booths will feature handicrafts from across the country, including silk and cotton textiles, gold and silver jewellery, gemstones, rattan and bamboo products, cultural items and traditional foods.

Visitors will also be able to observe live demonstrations by master artisans and explore handicrafts from ASEAN countries and Japan. Other activities will include the Lao Ethnic Fashion Show on November 6, knowledge-sharing seminars, the Lao Handicraft Angle contest, traditional art performances and workshops on making souvenirs from recycled materials.

A special walkathon will be held on November 1 from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., starting at Patuxay and proceeding towards That Luang to mark National Handicraft Day.

The festival is expected to provide a platform for handicraft producers to promote their products, connect with potential markets and strengthen the contribution of traditional crafts to tourism and local livelihoods.

The organisers invited Lao people, residents and international visitors to attend the festival and support the preservation and development of Lao handicraft traditions.

KPL