A water pouring ceremony takes place at the Nantong Vocational University on April 16. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The Laotian students at Nantong Vocational University in East China's Jiangsu province celebrated their traditional Songkran Festival on April 16.

The Laotian Songkran Festival, also known as Pi Mai, is celebrated in Laos from April 13 to 16. It marks the start of a new year in the traditional Lao calendar and combines spiritual traditions with lively street festivities.

Students shoot water guns to shower blessings on each other. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The event commenced with Laotian students, adorned in traditional attire, performing a "water pouring ceremony" for the attending teachers. In this ritual, clear water is gently poured into the palms of elders as a gesture of respect and blessing. This tradition embodies the core Laotian cultural values of honoring and expressing gratitude toward one's elders.

After that, Laotian students sang the classic Laotian song Pearl of the Mekong River, with its melodious tune outlining the serene scenery along the Mekong River, singing out the friendship between the two countries connected by mountains and rivers.

Students pose for a group photo after the celebration. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The event also featured a memorable chorus of the Chinese song Fairy Tale, where Chinese and Laotian students sang passionately in Chinese. The most exciting part, water sprinkling, brought the event to a climax. Amid laughter and cheers, everyone held basins and water guns to shower blessings on each other, with sparkling water droplets complementing the smiles, turning the scene into a joyful ocean of celebration.