In the community of Bois-Colombes, Paris, this celebration took place on 18 April in the presence of the Laotian community in Paris. A Mass was celebrated in Laotian and French.
This time of prayer was an opportunity to give thanks to God for the past year and to entrust the new year to him, in a spirit of faith and hope.
Lao New Year, known as Pi Mai, is one of the most important festivals in Laos. Celebrated in mid-April (on the 14th, 15th and 16th), it marks the end of the dry season and the beginning of a new year according to the traditional calendar. This three-day festival has spiritual, cultural and community dimensions.
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the participants took part in the traditional ceremony of the Baci (or Soukhouan), a rite to summon the souls. This ceremony, deeply rooted in Laotian culture, accompanies the major milestones of life: births, weddings, illnesses, journeys or even exams. It expresses a desire for peace, protection and harmony.
Our hosts had thought of everything: stacked bowls in the Laotian style, gifts to be arranged around them and, of course, the bracelets to be placed on the wrists of those present whilst well-wishes were offered. The words were simple and beautiful: ‘May all that is evil depart from you, and may all that is good come to you’!
At the heart of Pi Mai lies the symbol of water, a sign of purification and renewal. The sprinkling of water, now a festive tradition, expresses the desire to be freed from past trials and to embrace the future with confidence.
Finally, this festival remains a special occasion for family reunions and respect for the elderly, thereby strengthening intergenerational bonds and the core values of Laotian culture.
The Laotian New Year thus appears as a celebration rich in meaning, uniting traditions, spirituality and community life in a spirit of peace and sharing.Sr Kanthali
This festival originated from the Khmer and Mon-Burmese civilisations, under the influence of the Hindu calendar, which follows the movement of the sun. It is a great opportunity for Laotians to come together as a community, but it is also a truly vibrant and unforgettable cultural experience.
