Vice Mayor of Vientiane Capital, Mr Saythong Keoduangdy on Tuesday told a press conference to brief the public about the progress of the Hor Phakeo Museum renovation project phase one.
Hor Phakeo was built in 1565 by King Sayasetthathirath to house the Emerald Buddha 1565-1779 as his personal place of worship. During the 1970s, it was converted from a place of worship into a museum. It now houses the finest national collection of Buddhist sculptures and artefacts.
The renovation is the third of its kind since the museum was built with the first renovation taking place during King Anouvong’s reign in 1816, and the second one during King Souvana Phoumma’s time in power between 1936 and 1942.
Vientiane Capital administration will hold a public briefing on 21 Feb where donors and members of general public will be hear about the museum’s renovation carried out over the past one year by local craftsmen, and the planned work for phases II and III.
“A traditional alms giving ceremony will be held on 22 Feb and I would like to invite all people to attend the ceremony,” said Mr Saythong Keoduangdy.
Over 6 billion kip (almost US$740,000) has been donated by public and private sectors, individually and collectively, for the renovation purposes of the museum since Vientiane Capital Administration announced that the museum was old and in need of repair.
Phase one of the renovation included the repair of the upper structure of the museum and parts of its floor, according to the Director of the Vientiane Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Khampadith Khemmanith.
Over 5 billion kip has been spent on phase I of the Hor Phakeo renovation and phase II is scheduled to commence next month.
“I would like to encourage Lao people to take part in this renovation effort by making donations for the project,” said Vice Mayor Saythong Keodouangdy.