The Lao Heritage Foundation (LHF) is as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity based in the Washington, D.C. area with the mission to preserve, promote, and transmit Lao culture through the Arts.
CoFounders, Xai and Niphasone Souphom
Cultural Preservation
Our cultural preservation initiatives include summer camp programs, music notation and introducing our youth to fine arts. LHF runs summer camp programs in several communities across the U.S. and in Luang Prabang, Laos. We create standardized music education systems, train teachers, directly teach students, coordinate with master musicians and build relationships with community leaders.
Cultural Promotion
We hold cultural events to coincide with important festivals, such as the end of Buddhist lent (Boun Lai Heu Fai/Loy Katong). These events are as festive as they are educational. We collaborate with organizations that seek to promote cultures of the world, namely Asia Society, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the Asian American Forum and many others.
How to Get Involved
You are invited to volunteer at any of our events and activities. Community leaders, corporate sponsors and individual donors are all welcomed to participate in realizing our vision. You can sponsor, make donations, purchase our merchandise, attend our events and become a part of the LHF family by sharing and promoting our work.
Summer Camp Programs
Since 2006, we have grown from just a few students to a few hundred students across the U.S., plus another 250 in Luang Prabang, Laos.
The master musicians with whom we partner include National Heritage Fellow Bounxeung Synanonh (kaen), Thongtanh Souvannaphanh (poetry and strings), Salathy Yiengkang, Souliya Lao, Sengdeuan Phengkeo (lanahd, kong wong, percussions, strings), Chy Her Fai By (lanahd, kong wong, percussions, strings), and Sinthavong Sengmounthong (lanahd, kong wong, percussions, strings, kaen).
Music Notation
As Lao music is traditionally taught by ear, this art is in grave danger of fading away. As an ongoing effort, LHF is notating music and producing recordings of our partnering music masters. These steps will not only help to preserve the music, as but also to facilitate the teaching of it.
Fine Arts
We partner with Prince Nithakhong Somsanith, who documents and showcases the many treasures of Laos through his uniquely exquisite paintings and the royal art of gold-thread embroidery.
We also partner with very talented artists, including animator, Nor Sanavongsay, who works tirelessly to preserve (and promote) Xieng Mieng stories. Xieng Mieng is a witty folklore character well-loved by Laotians for many centuries.
