Pha That Luang Fair
The That Luang Fair of 1969 -1970 stood at the crossroads of religion, nationhood, ceremony, commerce and everyday life in wartime Laos. Centred on the sacred stupa of Pha That Luang, the festival blended ancient Buddhist devotion with modern state symbolism, drawing monks, soldiers, and families into a single shared space. It was at once a national showcase, a political stage, a bustling marketplace, and a social gathering where urban and rural Laos briefly converged. These photographs capture the Fair in all its dimensions – solemn, vibrant, improvised and deeply human – offering a rare visual record of a society holding fast to tradition while navigating the uncertainties of its time.
SECTION 1-1 The That Luang Fair 1969-1970
That Luang procession front view 1970
Against backdrop of That Luang the head of procession led by national flag carrier under tight security
That Luang monks almsgiving 1970
Almsgiving is how Buddhists believe they make merit – especially at high profile festivals like this
That Luang Big Wheel 1970
The fairground would not have been complete without its Big Wheel. (Not so big I discovered!)
That Luang sala 1969
This sala provides backdrop to the many stalls set up at the fairground, mostly selling items of food
That Luang procession King and Queen 1970
King Savang Vatthana and his Queen lead the process from the That
That Luang procession princesses 1970
Laos had many princesses and they provided a touch of glamour and colour to the parade.
That Luang-procession xylophone 1970
The wooden xylophone is a key part of Lao music tradition together with drummers making music as they march
That Luang procession Hmong 1970
The head of the Hmong in the Laos government, Panya Touby Lyfoung, marches in the procession
That Luang Tiki team 1969
Tiki is a primitive form of hockey and a team demonstrates how it is played at an annual tiki match on the fairground
That Luang Fair Chinese exhibit 1969
Selected foreign agencies and companies had displays at the Fair
That Luang USA space 1970
On the heels of the moon-landing in 1969 the USA takes opportunity to display a piece of moon rock
That Luang British pavilion 1970
British pavilion is named ‘Pathet Angkit’ (English Country) and featured a brass band
That Luang Tai Dam lady 1970
A Black Tai costumed lady in the procession from That Luang
That Luang gong 1970
Security guard with radio walks alongside the gong carriers in procession
Monk with bowl at That Luang 1969
Looking over the shoulder of an elderly lady as she gives to a shaven orange-robed monk as she has been doing for many years
That Luang girl in crowd 1970
It is a wonderful event for children because there is so much to do and so much going on.
That Luang bareback horse riding 1970
Young riders display their skills at riding bare back on the fairground
That Luang boys 1970
Small boys, two shaded by umbrella, absorbed by the impressive parade
That Luang Tiki team 1969
Tiki is a primitive form of hockey and a team demonstrates how it is played at an annual tiki match on the fairground
That Luang Frank poses 1969
This was my first experience of the Fair at the end of October 1969