25th SEA Games, Laos

More than 20,000 spectators took their seats for a rehearsal of the 25th SEA Games opening and closing ceremonies at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Kaysone Phomvihane Avenue and Road No. 13 south were busy as the friends and families of more than 8,000 performers and other interested people drove to the stadium to watch the performance.


The event was arranged by the SEA Games Opening and Closing Committee as a practice run to test out both lighting systems and participants ahead of the big night on December 9.

The performance scheduled for the opening ceremony took place first, followed by the routines rehearsed for the closing ceremony.

The committee checked out all the lighting and sound systems as well as making sure the thousands of performers were step perfect.

For the most part, the performers did very well but some were obviously unsure and lost their way at times.

Many people who went to see the event told press the performance was the greatest show they had ever seen in Laos .

They were impressed with the colourful and traditional costumes worn, and fascinated by the skills of the many youngsters taking part.

Mrs Daoleuang of Nongbua village said if her daughter were old enough she would have let her take part in the performance.

“It's very beautiful. It's not the same as when I saw it on television during the last rehearsal. It was much better seeing it live at the stadium because of the great atmosphere and the good sound system.”

During the event, the SEA Games Organising Committee held a traditional ceremony to wish for good luck during the games. Leading the ceremony were committee Chairman and Standing Deputy Prime Minster Somsavat Lengsavad and other officials involved in the event.

There will be another rehearsal early next month before the start of the games.

Traffic police reported that more than 4,000 vehicles went to the stadium on Saturday, keeping police at work until midnight as they directed traffic to reduce congestion as people were leaving.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes