VIENTIANE, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Lao Elephant Festival 2017 is scheduled to be held from Feb. 13 to 19, 2017 in the northern Xayabouly province with the expectation of almost 70 elephants joining activities during the festival.
The festival is one of the major events of the province and represents past times when the elephant population included countless numbers of elephants. As a result, Laos was then known as the Land of a Million Elephants, Deputy Governor of Xayabouly Province Yanhyong Sipasert was quoted by Lao state-run news agency KPL as saying on Tuesday.
Elephant stories have been blended into the culture and livelihood of Lao multi-ethnic people from time immemorial. The Elephant Festival has been held for almost 10 years. In addition to entertaining and educating spectators about elephants, the festival aims to raise awareness of these endangered animals and calls for the protection within Laos and around the world.
The elephant holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the locals, which comes out in full form at this event, said Yanhyong, who is also in charge of organizing the Elephant Festival.
The Elephant Festival 2017 will feature activities including domesticated elephant shows, elephant parades, beautiful elephant contest, shows about how elephants are trained, elephant buffet featuring several types of elephants' favorite foods, elephant bathing, and elephants riding, among others.
Taking place alongside the festival, a trade fair will be organized, featuring both domestic and overseas products, such as agricultural products, and a traditional food tasting event.
The Elephant Festival will also feature cultural performances by ethnic people in the province, a show by the National Art Troupe, and a music performance.
