Lao’s national capacities to safeguard its intangible heritage are increasing, thanks to an eight-day workshop organized from 11 to 18 June 2013 within the UNESCO capacity building strategy for the effective safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage. Made possible by a generous contribution from the Republic of Korea, the workshop is part of a project that specifically aims at enhancing the national capacity of Lao PDR, both in government institutions and in civil society to safeguard its intangible cultural heritage through the effective implementation of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on a long-term basis. The workshop will be facilitated by UNESCO trained experts Shubha Chaudhuri and Paritta Koanantakool.

The Heritage Department of the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, in coordination with the UNESCO Office in Bangkok, has been very active in the organization of the forthcoming workshop in order to maximize the participation of local community members and practitioners. To accomplish this, some key village officials and practitioners will participate in the workshop that will be held in Thalat, Vientiane Province near the Pakkayong Village where also two days of field documentation and inventorying will be conducted.