International art festival set to return amid coronavirus

23 Sept 05:16 Key points summarised by AI

The Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB) is set to return as a physical event from October 29, 2020, to January 31, 2021, in Bangkok, implementing strict public health measures despite the coronavirus pandemic.
This second edition of the international contemporary art festival will feature over 200 artworks by 82 artists from 35 countries, including celebrated names like Ai Weiwei, Marina Abramovic, and Yoko Ono.
The festival's theme, 'Escape Routes,' encourages artists to explore pressing global issues such as migration, unemployment, racism, and climate change, while also addressing the new realities of the Covid-19 era.
Artworks will be displayed across nine significant cultural heritage and tourist locations in Bangkok, aiming to solidify the city's status as a world-class hub for arts and culture.

The Buddha Comes Home

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Chong Para is a vibrant annual festival of the Shan (Tai Yai) people in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, celebrating the Buddha's return from Tavatimsa heaven after Buddhist Lent.
The festival's centerpiece involves families constructing intricate miniature palaces, also called Chong Para, from bamboo, paper, and lights, placed outside homes and temples as offerings.
For three days and nights, the quiet mountain town comes alive with folk music, traditional dances like the Shan bird dance, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings, showcasing deep-rooted Shan culture.
Beyond the celebrations, Chong Para reinforces family bonds, preserves traditional crafts, and offers visitors an authentic immersion into the unique cultural heritage of Mae Hong Son.