(KPL)The French Institute in Laos opened a cultural cycle on March 6th focusing on Lao intangible heritage.
Until May 31, 2025, the French Institute in Laos will celebrate the khene, the emblematic Laotian mouth organ, through a free and varied programme. 
Inaugurated by Ambassador of France Siv-Leng Chhuor, the opening evening of the series took the form of a lecture-concert presented by Véronique de Lavenère, musicologist, PhD, and lecturer-researcher at Sorbonne University, who contributed, as an expert, to the patrimonialisation of Lao khène music at UNESCO in 2017. 
This event was made possible thanks to a collaboration between the French Institute of Laos, the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, and Sorbonne University, bringing together experts and enthusiasts for an immersion in Lao musical heritage. 
The event also brought together khène players from different ethnic groups from across Laos to perform on the stage of the French Institute. 
For those who missed the opening, it is still possible to discover the secrets of making the khène on video, to come and handle the various elements that compose it, or to extend the experience at the media library thanks to multimedia content dedicated to music.
In addition, the cycle continues with a new event on Friday, March 21: at 4 p.m., the public is invited to enjoy a performance of traditional music and dance by the Danexang company in the garden of the French Institute. 

This performance will be accompanied by an artistic encounter with Swiss graffiti artist Jinks Kunst, who will create a painting simultaneously.
March 21 will also mark the opening of the exhibition "The Hands of the Master: The Expression of a Gesture" by Charlotte Andraca Tosseri. This photographic exhibition will immerse you in the intimate workshop of Vientiane's last remaining khene maker, Oudonsak, revealing the beauty of his techniques and this unique expertise under the photographer's watchful eye.
Finally, the evening will conclude with a concert by Wonwin, where khene meets reggae.
On April 30th, a new chapter in this rich program will open. To mark International Jazz Day, an exceptional concert evening will showcase unique images of a performance by French saxophonist Didier Malherbe (Hadouk Trio) and khene player Khampha Inthisane, captured in France in 2009 by Peter Livermore (Seven Orients) during the recording of the music CD Khaen & Saxo… down the Mekong.  
At the same time, an immersive documentary, also directed by Peter Livermore, will allow us to continue our exploration of the richness of Lao heritage, highlighting the morlam and the extraordinary voices of Laliane and the late Inteng Keobouala. 
The immersive documentary will be available until May 31, 2025. Details of the programme for this series can be found on the Facebook page @Institutfrançais du Laos or on the Instagram page @institutfrançais_laos.

KPL