Vientiane (VNA) – Laos’ Elephant Festival 2017 will run from February 13 to 19in the northwestern province of Xayaboury with an official ceremony held onFebruary 17, according to the Lao News Agency (KPL).

Almost 70 elephants are expected to join activities during the festival.

Yanhyong Sipasert, Deputy Governor of Xayaboury province, who is also in chargeof organising the Elephant Festival, said that the festival is one of the majorevents of the province and represents past times when the elephant populationincluded countless numbers of elephants. As a result, Laos was then known as the Land of a Million Elephants.

Elephantstories have been blended into the culture and livelihoods of Lao people fromtime immemorial.

TheElephant Festival has been held for almost 10 years. In addition toentertaining and educating spectators about elephants, the festival aims toraise awareness of these endangered animals and calls for their protectionwithin Laos and around the world. The elephant holds a special place in thehearts and minds of the locals, which comes out in full form at this event.

Thisyear’s Elephant Festival will feature more activities than last year includingdomesticated elephant shows, elephant parades, a beautiful elephant contest,shows about how elephants are trained, an elephant buffet featuring severaltypes of elephants’ favourite foods, elephant bathing, elephants riding andmany others.

Takingplace alongside the festival, a trade fair will be organised featuring bothdomestic and foreign products, such as agricultural products, and a traditionalfood tasting event.

This year’s Elephant Festival will also featurecultural performances by ethnic people in the province, a show by the NationalArt Troupe, and a music performance.-VNA