Luang Prabang - The Rough Guide to Laos - page 201

LUANG PRABANG FILM FESTIVAL
Launched in 2010, the LuangPrabangFilmFestival ( lpfilmfest.org ) was set up to cel-
ebrate film-making in Southeast Asia, with the hope of encouraging a film industry in Laos.
Running over five days in December, the festival showcases films from all ten ASEAN
countries, in outdoor locations such as the handicraft market, and is aimed at both locals
and tourists, with free (first-come, first-served) seating for all. Following the festival, a
smaller programme of films is toured around other major provinces in the country. Both
events are supplemented by educational projects throughout the year in order to support
film-making (still very much in its infancy) in Laos.
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SHOPPING
As the royal capital of Laos, Luang Prabang was traditionally a centre for skilled artisans
from around the former kingdom. Weavers, gold- and silversmiths, painters, sculptors of
bronze, wood and ivory all held a place of importance in old Luang Prabang, and the most
gifted artisans were awarded royal patronage. After the revolution these arts were seen as
decadent and officially suppressed, while the artisans associated with the former royalty were
shunned. Unable to practise their trade, many drifted to more acceptable occupations or fled
the country. These days, with the boom in tourism, the traditional arts have been experiencing
a revival, and there is a wide array of different crafts on sale - as well as the usual selection of
tourist junk. Silver and textiles , in particular, can be good buys in Luang Prabang, but only
if you buy from the right people and haggle. The biggest tourist draw remains the handicraft
nightmarket . In addition, numerous shops along Sisavangvong and the surrounding roads
sell textiles and other crafts.
BOOKSHOPS
Many guesthouses and cafés have small book exchanges.
L'Etranger Books & Tea Ban Aphay 071 260248; map . The best second-hand bookshop
in town (plus a number of new books), including some foreign fiction and a good selection
on Laos. Also lends books for a minimal fee, serves food and drinks , and screens recent films
nightly. Daily 7am-10pm.
Luang Prabang Library Sisavangvong Rd 071 254813; map . The small bookshop next
to Luang Prabang's rather meagrely stocked public library has a book exchange, plus a
few travel guides and other Laos-related titles on sale, the profits from which help support
teacher-training scholarships for girls who volunteer in the shop. Visitors can also buy Lao-
language school books for their library boat project - pop the topics in the “book bag” next
to the counter, and once it's full (100 titles) the topics are taken by boat to any of 75 local