Laos Considers Museum for Preserving Khaen Music Heritage

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is considering a proposal to construct a Khaen Music Museum to preserve the tradition, which has been inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. On September 15, Minister of Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaket received a delegation from the Executive Committee of the Lao Khaen Sound Association. The delegation was led by Mr. Chaleun Yiapaoher, Honorary President of the Association and former member of the Party Central Committee and former Vice President of the National Assembly. During the meeting, Mr. Chaleun reported on the association's activities and outlined its efforts to protect the tradition of Khaen music. He specifically highlighted the request for state land approval to build a museum that will serve as a hub to support khaen craftsmen and players, following the inscription of Khaen music on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The khaen is an instrument deeply intertwined with the lifestyle and traditions of the Lao people. Minister Suansavanh commended the association's dedication to safeguarding Khaen music and indicated that the Ministry would submit the proposal to higher authorities for consideration. This development suggests that Laos is focusing on the preservation and promotion of its traditional culture. In Laos, a one-party state, the protection of cultural heritage also serves to maintain national identity and foster national unity. Furthermore, Khaen music is a cultural element with strong ties to Vietnam, making it noteworthy in the context of regional cultural exchange. On the same day, related to the 3rd Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) being held in Vientiane (September 14-18), the Lao Red Cross reaffirmed its cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and an operation to crack down on e-cigarette smuggling was carried out in Boten Zone (Luang Namtha Province), reflecting various aspects of the domestic situation.