Govt calls for correct understanding of Valentine's Day The Prime Minister's Secretariat issued a notice yesterday advising ministers, the mayor and governors throughout the country to educate government officials, workers, and especially young people and students, on the true meaning of Valentine's Day. The notice was issued to prevent fine Lao culture being affected by the influence of inappropriate forms of celebration, as setbacks have occurred in previous years. Valentine's Day is incorrectly considered by many as a day for play, entertainment and lavish spending. The notice advised the relevant sectors to educate people so they understand the real meaning of the day, correct misplaced thinking that goes against the fine values of Lao culture, and fight against meaningless customs that degenerate traditional values. Government organisations, offices and educational institutions will not be permitted to organise parties to celebrate Valentine's Day. The announcement advised the Ministry of Information and Culture to ask media throughout the country to explain the correct meaning of the day and promote love through traditional Lao social values. The media should not advertise content encouraging the public to indulge in extravagant celebrations. The notice also recommended the Ministry of Education inform heads of provincial educational institutions, especially secondary and vocational schools, to control their students to ensure they respect institutional regulations. The announcement advised public security staff to coordinate with related units and local administrative offices to monitor entertainment venues, hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and tourist sites to ensure they follow the regulations.
The notice advised officials to strictly penalise businesses that did not follow state management regulations, including regulations on fighting, road accidents and arson.
Govt calls for correct understanding of Valentine's Day The notice also recommended the Ministry of Education inform heads of provincial educational institutions, especially secondary and vocational schools, to control their students to ensure they respect institutional regulations. The notice advised officials to strictly penalise businesses that did not follow state management regulations, including regulations on fighting, road accidents and arson.
-- Edited by TSP at 05:52, 2009-02-13
Sorry, but that sounds pathetic. It is a suppression of people’s desires to celebrate and to even use a decree of law to punish those who want to have some fun.In the West, we have such a big diversity, a multi-culture and there are hundreds and thousands of ethnicities coming from all over the world; they are free to celebrate according to their beliefs and people are free to join, to participate if they so wish.Laotian Buddhists in U.S celebrate their custom, cultures all the time flocking along the streets together through different places.
Govt calls for correct understanding of Valentine's Day The Prime Minister's Secretariat issued a notice yesterday advising ministers, the mayor and governors throughout the country to educate government officials, workers, and especially young people and students, on the true meaning of Valentine's Day. The notice was issued to prevent fine Lao culture being affected by the influence of inappropriate forms of celebration, as setbacks have occurred in previous years. Valentine's Day is incorrectly considered by many as a day for play, entertainment and lavish spending. Happy Valentine's Day to all, by the way!
-- Edited by TSP at 05:52, 2009-02-13
I feel it's a good action to preserve our good culture. The true meaning of Valentine's day probably is that loving each other is good, but not just use this day as an excuse to take advantage over one to another.
Please love each other but don't forget to follow our Lao culture!
I don't agree with this at all. If people are going to celebrate, they will celebrate regardless of Valentines day or not. People with money celebrate all the time. I, myself celebrate all the time just being alive.
We will never forget who we are and where we come from. Our beautiful culture will always be preserved and loved. Don't make this as an invasion of our culture. I thought Laos is moving toward democracy. Let people do what they please. As long as they don't break the law, I don't see anything wrong. Stop being so scare of everything.
I was in Laos couple years ago during Christmas, and I saw people everywhere celebrating Christmas. I don't remember Christmas being part of Lao culture. I see young kids all over Viengchanh styling themselves like Japanese or Korean, and even American hip-hop style. I see them listening to their music, watching their music videos and movies all the time. Why don't the government ban them? I think the media has more effect on the people and our culture more than anything else. Like BLM69 said, "Pathetic!".
Let people enjoy life. Besides it's good for the economy = ). More Beerlao would be sold. So cheer! Happy Valentines day!!!
Sorry, but that sounds pathetic. It is a suppression of people’s desires to celebrate and to even use a decree of law to punish those who want to have some fun.
