Singapore Ambassador to Laos Sudesh Maniar

(KPL) The Singapore Embassy to Laos with support of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth of Singapore on Mar 27 organised a musical performance by Singapore music group yIN Harmony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Lao PDR and Singapore.

Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Vansy Kouamoua, Singapore Ambassador to Laos Sudesh Maniar and diplomatic corps attended the event.

Singapore Ambassador to Laos Sudesh Maniar highlighted that the ties between both countries have come a long way in the last fifty years. Today bilateral cooperation encompasses emerging areas such as energy and sustainability, alongside traditional areas such as human resource development and cooperation in ASEAN.

“Likewise, we have good cooperation in the field of culture. For example, in 2016, students from Singapore and Laos worked together on an art exhibition at the Lao National School of Performing Arts. In 2019, the Singapore Dance Theatre presented a ballet performance in this same hall. In February this year, puppeteers from the Khao Niew Lao Theatre conducted a workshop at Singapore’s Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts – they are with us this evening,” said Ambassador.

“Tonight, the Embassy is pleased to present the music ensemble yIN Harmony. yIN Harmony has performed at major events in Singapore, as well as in countries such as Vietnam, China and Brunei Darussalam. Their music, which blends and harmonises many distinct styles, reflects Singapore’s identity as a multiracial country with a diverse cultural heritage. To commemorate this bilateral milestone, yIN Harmony is collaborating with artists from the Laomusic Danxang Club on several pieces, including the familiar “Yen Sabai Sao Na”,” Ambassador added.

The yIN Harmony’s jointed performance with Lao musician, Mr Sinthavong Sengmounthong, featured the Khaen (“can”).

yIN Harmony will be conducting masterclasses for students at the National University of Laos and the National College of Arts over the next two days, which will deepen cultural exchanges between the two countries.

KPL