Wat Arun Festival is an activity of the Wat Arun Preservation Project found from the inspiration of those who admired this historical site. The festival concept was set out to bring together ancient performing arts that reflect our cultural sovereignty and the free spirit of Thailand. Since Wat Arunrachawararam Royal Grand Temple appears today as it was renovated in the Rattanakosin period, emphasis for the Wat Arun Festival 1782 A.D. is on performing arts of the Rattanakosin Era.
The first year organizing Wat Arun Festival was in 2000. The event was set out under the concept of “When History comes Alive” bringing back the ancient performing arts that are hard to find or not longer performed such as Hun Luang, Khon Chuk Rok, Lakorn Nai, Lakorn Nok, and Nang Yai plus a large variety of authentic Thai cuisine.
The second year was in 2001, the event reflected the multi-cultural society of Siam, a society with an openness and acceptance to the diversity of civilizations in the region. Performances include Thai and Chinese art forms, consisting of Mask Play, Chinese Opera, Small Puppets, Hainanese Puppets, Thrilling Acrobatics-Krabi Krabong, Pah Booh and Cantonese Lion Play. All the performances reflect a sense of being Thai, while at the same time illustrating the cultures of the Chinese, which in turn represent the diversity of peoples who have come to seek freedom and prosperity in Thailand.
The Thai spirit and heritage are ideals that every Thai person should uphold and value highly. We hope that the Wat Arun Festival 1782 A.D. will be a small spark that ignites the glory of Thai heritage to shine brightly over our sovereign land.
For more information, please visit website www.watarunfestival.com