Mega concert for tsunami victims

Souknilundon Southivongnorath

THE Lao Journalist Association will organise a Mega Concert to raise money in support of the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster on the night of January 15 at ITECC, Vientiane.
Local pop singers from all the major music labels as well as the local circus will be invited to perform at the concert in support of those suffering from the tragedy, said the Vice President of the Lao Journalist Association, Mr Somsanouk Mixay.
"It will be the biggest concert organised in Laos because almost 100 local artists will gather to perform on the stage," he said.
Valentine Music, Indee Records, the National Art Ensemble, the National Music and Dance School and others have agreed to sell tickets. "The concert will be aired live throughout the country so that people in other provinces can donate money over the telephone. We will show the telephone number on the TV monitor," said Somsanouk.
Pop stars such as Ting Phailavanh and Touey Chanphaxay from Valentine Music and Overdance and Alouna from Indee Records have been billed for the event including Alexandra and Noy Sengsouliya. The concert will include a performance from the National Circus as well as a traditional song and dance programme from the National School of Fine Arts.
"We all felt so sad, when we heard and saw the victims of the tsunami on television. All our singers would like to donate money to help them and this concert is a good opportunity for us to raise money," said Mr Anoulack Pathammavong, President of Indee Records.
The Lao Golf Federation organised a Solidarity Day of Golf last Saturday to raise money for the tsunami victims. About 150 million kip was raised from the golf competition and the money will be presented to the taskforce committee to raise funds for the tsunami victims today, said the President of Lao Golf Federation Mr Darakone Pathammavong.

   Buddhists pray for tsunami victims

   Buddhists pray for tsunami victims

Souknilundon Southivongnorath

DEPUTY Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavad Lengsavat led some 350 Buddhist followers to attend a religious ceremony at Vat Thepnimit That Foun temple in Vientiane on Sunday in the memory of all those who died in the Asian tsunami.
The ceremony was conducted by 108 monks led by Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation President, the Most Venerable Vichit Singharath.
The ceremony consisted of prayers including Sak Anicha, the prayer for the dead, Bang Sakoun, offering to the dead, and meditation.
"We, Buddhist monks and lay people of Laos, want to show our solidarity with and concern for and share the sorrows and sufferings of the victims of the terrible natural disaster," said Venerable Bouakham Phoutthavong, Abbot of Vat That Foun.
"Our hearts are filled with sadness at the losses suffered by the people of several countries. We hope our prayers and our modest donations will help alleviate their suffering."
Among people attending the ceremony at Vat That Foun were Mr and Mrs Johnsson, who were holidaying in Phuket, Thailand and miraculously survived the catastrophe. "We are very moved by this ceremony. It shows that the Lao people are concerned about what happened to people far away from their country. For us, who have gone through that terrible tragedy, this is really comforting and it is a strong encouragement," Mrs Monika Johnsson told Vientiane Times.
Alms given by Buddhist lay people during the ceremony reached over 2 million kip.

Source: Vientianetimes.org.la

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