Bryan Thao Worra

Bryan Thao Worra

A Laotian American writer, Bryan Thao Worra works actively to support Laotian, Hmong and Southeast Asian American artists and writers across the US. His books include On The Other Side Of The Eye, Touching Detonations, Winter Ink, Barrow and The Tuk Tuk Diaries: My Dinner With Cluster Bombs. He is the first Laotian American to receive a Fellowship in Literature from the United States government's National Endowment for the Arts. He has also received the Asian Pacific Leadership Award from the State Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans for Leadership in the Arts. In 2012 he was selected to be a Cultural Olympian serving as the delegate for Laos during the London Summer Games.

Contemplating Lao modernity and democracy

By Bryan Thao Worra (Lao’d and Clear) | November 5, 2013

Tuesday, November 5th is election day in the United States, which seems as good a time to bring up the issue of civics, modernity and democracy. Continue Reading

Documenting a diaspora: 40 years and beyond

By Bryan Thao Worra (Lao’d and Clear) | October 31, 2013

It’s 2013 and some Lao Minnesotans are already preparing for the 40th anniversary of the Lao Diaspora in 2015. What will it mean to recognize 4 decades? Continue Reading

Happy Birthday, Little Laos on the Prairie

By Bryan Thao Worra (Lao’d and Clear) | October 26, 2013

This month, the Lao Minnesotan blog Little Laos on the Prairie turns two, and what a ride it’s been.

McKnight honors Lao community leader Sunny Chanthanouvong

By Bryan Thao Worra (Asian American Press) | September 17, 2013

Lao Assistance Center Executive Director Sunny Chanthanouvong, recently received the Virginia McKnight Binger Human Services Award from the McKnight Foundation.

On zombies, ghosts, fear and rebuilding in Lao America

By Bryan Thao Worra (Lao’d and Clear) | September 15, 2013

Growing up, I was always raised with the myth of Laos as a tranquil, serene land. A land of a thousand smiles, a realm of a million elephants, a lost Eden or Shangri-La. Continue Reading

Connecting art and policy: A Lao Minnesotan experience

By Bryan Thao Worra (Lao’d and Clear) | August 31, 2013

This weekend, we wrap up Lao Minnesotan Artists Heritage Month, and it’s been a wonderful month of seeing the artists in our community press forward with their many different projects. Continue Reading

Leading to civic engagement: Sunny Chanthanouvong receives McKnight Award

By Bryan Thao Worra (Lao’d and Clear) | August 17, 2013

This week, the Mcknight Foundation announced that Lao Assistance Center executive director Sunny Chanthanouvong was one of only six people being honored for their work with the community with Continue Reading

Celebrating Lao Minnesotan Artists Heritage Month

By Bryan Thao Worra (Lao’d and Clear) | August 1, 2013

One year ago, we observed the very first Lao Minnesotan Artists Heritage Month, which was recognized by Governor Dayton and the State of Minnesota as a celebration of the outstanding internati Continue Reading

Reforming: From refugees to revitalizers

By Bryan Thao Worra (Lao’d and Clear) | June 20, 2013

June 20th is International World Refugee Day. It was established by the United Nations to honor the journey of those who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. This is part of the history of many Minnesotans who are rebuilding their lives here. Continue Reading

Considering Lao Minnesotans

By Bryan Thao Worra (Lao’d and Clear) | June 12, 2013

As we approach International World Refugee Day on June 20th, there are good reasons to revisit the journey of the Lao Minnesotans. Continue Reading

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