老挝金三角经济特区第22届木棉节正式开幕
【本报讯】据老挝特区新闻宣传处：木棉筑新梦，旅游展未来。2月1日，老挝金三角经济特区迎来了第22届木棉节的盛大开幕。本届木棉节以“木棉筑新梦，旅游展未来”为主题，为来自海内外的游客和老挝当地民众呈现了一场精彩绝伦的文化盛宴。
老挝副总理兼公安部部长维莱、总理府办公厅前主任本萍、博胶省省长通占、乌多姆赛省省长本孔、金三角经济特区管理委员会副主席高嵘、金三角经济特区行政管理机构主任本通、老挝驻华教育与文化参赞靳达望等众多嘉宾出席了开幕仪式。
开幕式上，灯光璀璨，气氛热烈。博胶省各县和特区文工团的舞者身着绚丽传统服饰，步伐灵动，共同献上多支独具老挝民族特色的舞蹈。老挝知名歌手一展歌喉，用极具感染力的歌声瞬间点燃现场。每一个节目都生动展现出老挝传统文化的独特魅力，赢得台下阵阵掌声。
备受瞩目的木棉小姐选美大赛的预选赛也正式拉开帷幕，来自博胶省的候选佳丽们身着精美的老挝民族服饰，以优雅的仪态和自信的风采，展现了青春与智慧的魅力。此刻的精彩只是序章，她们将在次日的决赛中角逐最终的桂冠。
博胶省省长通占在开幕式致辞中表示，木棉节是博胶省人民自2000年起举办的独特传统节日，金三角经济特区在节日的传承与发展中做出了巨大贡献。他表示，博胶省金三角经济特区拥有独特的自然美景和人文风情，期待未来能有更多游客和投资者前来，让世界了解这片土地的独特魅力。
金三角经济特区管理委员会副主席高嵘在致辞中表示，木棉节不仅是展示老挝风光的重要窗口，更是促进文化交流、加深友谊、推动旅游和商贸发展的宝贵契机。今年是特区建区的第十八年，特区的发展成果离不开老挝政府的大力支持，更离不开老中日益紧密的友好合作。他坚信，在老挝政府和赵伟主席的领导下，特区定能顺利渡过转型发展的关键时期，为老挝的社会经济发展作出更大贡献。
本届木棉节还精心策划了一系列丰富多彩的活动，包括沉浸式夜游表演秀、四国商品交易赶摆、第二届“和平金三角”国际画展、第二届“木棉杯”高尔夫业余锦标赛、天灯祈福仪式以及烟花表演秀等。
第22届木棉节将于明日（2月2日）下午闭幕，让我们共同期待，在这片充满魅力的土地上，绽放出更多绚烂的精彩。
The22nd Kapok Festival Officially Opens in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone of Laos
(According to the News and Propaganda Department of the Special Zone,Laos)
Building new dreams with kapok, showcasing the future of tourism. On February 1st, the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Laos welcomed the grand opening of the 22nd Kapok Festival. This year’s festival, "Building New Dreams with Kapok, Showcasing the Future of Tourism," presented a spectacular cultural feast for international visitors and local Laotians.
The opening ceremony was attended by numerous distinguished guests, including Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security Vilay, former Director of the Prime Minister's Office Bounphing, Governor of Bokeo Province Thongchan, Governor of Oudomxay Province Bounkhong, Vice Chairman of the Management Committee of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Gao Rong, Director of the Administrative Body of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Bounthong, and the Cultural and Educational Counselor of the Lao Embassy in China, Jin Dawang.
The opening ceremony was a dazzling and lively event. Dancers from various Bokeo Province counties and the Special Zone's cultural troupe, dressed in vibrant traditional costumes, performed a series of unique Laotian ethnic dances with graceful movements. Renowned Laotian singers captivated the audience with their powerful and moving voices. Each performance vividly showcased the unique charm of Laotian traditional culture, earning thunderous applause from the audience.
The highly anticipated preliminary round of the Miss Kapok Beauty Pageant also officially commenced. Contestants from Bokeo Province, adorned in exquisite Laotian ethnic attire, displayed elegance, confidence, and the charm of youth and wisdom. The excitement of the evening was just the beginning, as they would compete for the ultimate crown in the finals the following day.
In his opening speech, Bokeo Province Governor Thongchan stated that the Kapok Festival is a unique traditional celebration held by the people of Bokeo Province since 2000, and the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone has made significant contributions to the preservation and development of the festival. He emphasized that the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo Province boasts unique natural beauty and cultural richness, and he looks forward to welcoming more tourists and investors in the future to showcase the region’s distinctive charm to the world.
Vice Chairman of the Management Committee of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, Gao Rong, expressed in his speech that the Kapok Festival is not only a critical window to showcase the beauty of Laos but also a valuable opportunity to promote cultural exchange, deepen friendships, and boost tourism and trade development. This year marks the 18th anniversary of establishing the Special Zone, and its achievements are attributed to the strong support of the Lao government and the increasingly close friendly cooperation between Laos and China. He firmly believes that under the leadership of the Lao government and Chairman Zhao Wei, the Special Zone will successfully navigate this critical period of transformation and development, making more significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Laos.
This year’s Kapok Festival also featured a series of meticulously planned activities, including an immersive night tour performance,a four-country trade fair, the "Peaceful Golden Triangle"International Art Exhibition, the "Kapok Cup"Amateur Golf Championship,a sky lantern blessing ceremony,and a fireworks display.
The 22nd Kapok Festival will conclude tomorrow afternoon, February 2nd. Let us look forward to even more splendid moments blossoming in this enchanting land.
