Bangkok's 13th International Festival Of Dance & Music

Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance and Music is the largest annual performing arts festival in Thailand. It presents artists and theatres from around the world in a balanced programme of 17 different productions of music, dance, classical concerts, operas, classical ballets, contemporary and world dances – and the occasional less common genre such as fado and ballet on ice.

This Festival has garnered a reputation for excellence presenting only the best from around the world to discerning audiences in Bangkok. In keeping with this tradition the 13th edition of the festival has in store acts that will find favour even with the most demanding of patrons.

HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajnagarindra graciously presided as Honorary Chairperson of the Festival since its inauguration in 1999 until 2003, then as Royal Patron until her passing away in 2008. Since then HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has graciously presided as Royal Patron of the Festival. Under that guidance and direction the Festival has committed to the belief that arts and culture, which contributes to the creative development in societies, also has a vital and unique role to play in the world acting, for example, as a unifying force between people and nations.

Since its inaugural year in 1999, the Festival has grown in repute and size to become the largest performing arts festival in Thailand. It takes during a period of five-six weeks each year at the country’s largest theatre with orchestra pit. In addition to a loyal following in Bangkok and from other cities in Thailand, the Festival has also secured a reputation amongst theatre-goers in Asia and as far as Europe, and a few thousand overseas visitors fly into Bangkok each year to attend.

The 2011 season is the festival’s 13th anniversary and will be held during 9 September – 16 October 2011 at the Thailand Cultural Center, and present artists and theatres from countries as far as Austria, Brazil, Germany, Russia and United Kingdom. 

In September the highlights are: the fairytale Swan Lake on Ice;  three highly-anticipated ballets (Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, and Mariinsky Ballet Gala) by the legendary Mariinsky Ballet Company from St. Petersburg accompanied by Mariinsky Symphony ORchestra; and Introdans - Repertoire Highlights. 

In October the highlights are: the lovable Flying Superkids gymnastics team from Denmark; two operas The Tsar’s Bride (a tragedy) and The Marriage of Figaro (a comedy); and Spain’s flamenco ambassador to the world, Ballet Nacional de España, who will close the curtain on this year’s festival with magnificent passion.

However, there are still eight other shows to enjoy!: samba in Balé de Rua; Casa Azul inspired by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo; Meeting With Bodhisattva – a spiritual performance of drumming and martial arts; The Blue Planet Live! theatrical concert which will take you beneath the oceans; a symphony concert to hear Alexander Borodin’s Symphony No. 2 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9; Choreographer’s Cut & World Premiere by MOVE: the company; Katia Guerreiro’s soulful alto voice as she performs fado – the Portugese ‘blues’; and the pure, harmonious voices of the charming Vienna Boy’s Choir.

The Festival is sponsored by Bangkok Bank, Beiersdorf, B. Grimm, Canadoil Group, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Post Publishing, SCG, Thai Airways International, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Toyota Motor Thailand

For Further information contact Tourism Authority of Thailand

Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: www.tat.or.th Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines) Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511

The address is 1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee, Bangkok 10400 Thailand