National artist dedicates to the country

Mr Boua Ngeun Xaphouvong has been designated a National Artist, after years spent proclaiming his love for Laos and dutifully dedicating himself to the nation.
He is a singer, songwriter, musician and performer, and has worked for the country since the days of the revolution.
He is currently President of the Lao Artists’ Association and is a former Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism. Since his retirement in 2021, he has continued to work for the Lao Artists’ Association.

Mr Boua Ngeun (right) receives a second class labour medal from President Thongloun Sisoulith after organising performances during the Asean Summit in 2016, which Laos hosted as the Asean Chair that year.

Mr Boua Ngeun learnt to sing because after he developed a love for musical expression and stirring lyrics. He is an accomplished songwriter and has written several songs about the revolution. He plays the piano and supervises groups of artists, sometimes leading them in stage performances.
Over the course of his long career, he has written more than 100 songs, with most of them being about the nation’s liberation, protection and development.
Some of these are well known, such as Bounkhounphak, Phaetpativat, Banmaekhao, Hak Siphandone, Meuanglaomay Manyeun, and Xeevidnakkila.
Mr Boua Ngeun Xaphouvong was awarded the title of National Artist by the government in 2011, in acknowledgement of contributions to the arts and Lao culture. The title of National Artist is a badge of honour for Lao artists who have served Laos and its citizens through the arts.
Mr Boua Ngeun said he was very happy and proud to receive the title because it was very meaningful for him and a great tribute to his life in music.
He has also received many labour medals and certificates of congratulations from the government.
During the war, he joined the revolutionary forces at a young age and dedicated himself to national liberation by writing songs to inspire people to support the fight for liberation, with the lyrics praising the revolutionary movement and its successes. He also sang the songs he wrote, played music, and carried out other work assigned by his supervisors.
After liberation in 1975, he continued to serve the country and people by writing songs that encouraged government officials and citizens to work for Laos’ protection and development. He also continued singing and performing and carried out other duties in support of national protection and development.
Mr Boua Ngeun said “During my long career, I had many difficult and dangerous experiences. On six occasions I saw friends hit and killed by unexploded ordnance as well as enemy bombs.”
“During the war, I myself once came close to being hit during enemy bombing while I was delivering some documents, but fortunately I survived. But none of this could put an end to my desire to serve my country and its people,” he added.
“I worked hard and sometimes I had to write a song in just one day or overnight to inspire people to pick up arms and fight.”
Mr Boua Ngeun Xaphouvong’s work and outstanding musical talent sets a good example to others, especially the younger generation, in serving Laos and its people. He loves the arts and music and has dedicated himself to this field as his way of serving the country.
“Being an artist means to be a person of the public. A person who wants to be an artist has to practise hard,” he said.
“An artist must learn both inside and outside of school. An artist should also be diligent, patient and brave. He must listen to other people, learn about many things, and love to learn new things including science and to use it wisely in daily life,” he added.
Mr Boua Ngeun Xaphouvong was born in Phonemuang village, Naxaithong district, Vientiane, on December 21, 1949.
When he was 10, he became a novice at his village temple where he spent three years before leaving at the age of 13.
During his time at the temple, he learned about Lao literature by reading poems and listening to stories read by older monks and other people. He enjoyed these very much and learned about the principles, moral values and teachings of the Buddha. This also helped to broaden his knowledge of the arts and culture.
After leaving the temple, he studied in his village school where he learned that he had talent for the arts. He scored high marks in singing tests and his teacher always praised him. He grew to love singing and practised regularly.
Mr Boua Ngeun proudly told this reporter that when he was nine, an annual festival took place in a village near his home, which featured a Fone Lamvong (traditional dance) competition.
He eagerly stood close to the edge of the stage and was then pulled onto the stage by someone who wanted him to dance with a girl who needed a partner. As luck would have it, the young couple won a prize which consisted of 50 kip and some snacks and was awarded by the governor of Vientiane province.
He was very pleased with his success because this was the first time he had ever earned any money. He showed his prize to his parents and they were proud of him.
In 1962, Mr Boua Ngeun persuaded his friends to join the revolutionary movement even though he didn’t know much it and was the youngest in the group. The group was helped by a member of the revolutionary forces who got them to their destination safely, even though travel was dangerous and very risky. When they arrived, they saw that a lot of other people had also joined up.
Mr Boua Ngeun began work in an office in Vangvieng district, Vientiane province, where his duties involved conveying messages to other offices and units, welcoming guests, boiling water, and delivering newspapers. He also studied in the evenings.
In April 1963 he was sent to Xieng Khuang province where he worked for some months and later moved to Viengxay district in Huaphan province. In 1965 he studied art and culture in Viengxay district.
In 1966 he was sent to study music in Vietnam with 70 other students, where they took courses in music, the arts, circus performance, and filming.
In 1969, he graduated in intermediate level music and was able to write songs as well as sing.
Following his graduation, he was appointed to work for a Lao radio station in Vietnam.
In 1972 he returned to Viengxay district and taught in the district’s art school. He also worked with other teachers to write and sing songs and perform for guests.
In 1974 he joined a group performing at the annual That Luang Festival and met his parents for the first time in 12 years. His parents didn’t remember him because they hadn’t seen him for so long.
At the end of 1974, he returned to Viengxay district and the following year toured with other performers in the central and southern provinces.
In 1961 he was sent to Vientiane where he worked for the government in various capacities. In 1976 he and his group represented Laos at a performing arts event in Bangkok, Thailand, and the same year was appointed director of the arts and music school in Vientiane.
In 1981 he went to study in the Soviet Union where he stayed until 1986. During his time there, he witnessed developments and learned as much as possible about situations that he could apply when he returned to Laos.
He became the leader of Lao students in the Soviet Union and was engaged in work that involved the local community.
After graduating in 1986, he returned to Laos and was appointed head of the performing arts troupe.
In 1991 he went to work for Lao national radio and in 1999 was appointed deputy director general of the performing arts department.
In 2006 he was elected Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism and remained in that position until he retired in 2021.
Mr Boua Ngeun Xaphouvong was selected as a member of the National Assembly for three terms. He represented Savannakhet province from 2002 to 2006, Champassak province from 2006 to 2011, and Vientiane from 2011 to 2016.
In the course of his long career, Mr Boua Ngeun has supervised various performing arts programmes for important national days and events as well as for regional meetings and summits hosted by Laos, and sports competitions such as the national games and SEA Games.
“I am very happy and proud be an artist and to work for the country and people in so many ways,” he said.
In his free time, Mr Boua Ngeun said he likes to play sports, especially volleyball, table tennis and football.

ByVisith Teppalath
(Latest Update March 29, 2022)