Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Last week, a national literary competition awards ceremony was held in Vientiane, Laos. The event was hosted by Ms. Sounsavan Viyakhat, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Laos, and attended by representatives from various sectors, including monks, nuns, government officials, national artists, outstanding artists, composers, and poets.
At the event, Mr. Thongbai Bothisang, President of the Lao Writers Association, introduced that to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and the 105th anniversary of the birth of President Kaysone Phomvihane, the Lao Writers Association, commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and in conjunction with the Department of Literature and Publication, organized this national literary competition. The association mobilized writers and poets nationwide through various channels, soliciting submissions of short stories, novels, memoirs, and poems, attracting 258 submissions, including 130 poems and 128 other categories (original text corrected).
The results of this competition were announced simultaneously: First prize went to Panya Phanthaphanith's novel *The Shadow of Time* and Keochoi Bouakam's poem *Love of Country and Land*; second prize winners included Udom Hupkob's short story *The Gift*, Wirat Sot On's memoir *Prinya Ma Ha Joon*, Nganthaksak Vansayadet's poem *I Did Not Fight with a Gun, But I Wanted to Write with a Pen*, and Boonma Homsombath's poem *The Gathering*; third prize went to Bourapa Kunpong's short story *Friends Love Friends and Enemies*, Wenk Jantafong's short story *Memories*, and Sok von Kanchan's memoir *Insi Rok*. The awards included works such as "Wit," Sadanju Pesarat's poem "Mother's Joy, Child's Smile," and Paivone Nantavon's poem "An Order from Chairman Kayssen Fontevihan." In addition, 30 other creators received commendation awards.
During the awards ceremony, Minister Suansavan Viakate personally presented the prize money to the winners: first prize was 10 million kip per person, second prize was 5 million kip per person, third prize was 3 million kip per person, and commendation award recipients each received 1 million kip.
