Thailand – hospitality and smiling land
On the nasty morning of the morning of 13 January, the members of the folklore “Raznava” went on a long flight to Thailand. Following the invitation of Surindra Rajabhat University, 16 folklore members participated in the international folklore festival in Thailand, which took place between 15 and 25 January. 18 countries participated in the festival: Vietnam, Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Philippines, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Slovenia, Israel, Indonesia, India, China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Latvia and Thailand.
At Bangkok's airport, the festival organisers greeted us all with a rose and a smile. A seven-hour long trip to the festival's venue followed. As a result of the disembarkation of the petrol tank, the special meals of Thailand - insects and beetles - were tasted, as well as bought and tasted fruits, which were sweet and delicious. At the entrance to Surindra, the elephant statues, which are the symbols of this area, were waiting at the entrance to the hotel. Most of the Thai elephants live here. After dinner, we went to the rooms.
In the course of the festival, concerts were held every day, where each collective presented their country with songs and dances. Our first performance was very nice and accompanied by an ovation from the stage. As part of the international festival, other folklore festivals were also held in various regions of Thailand, the national countryside show, the peacekeeper, the creative workshops, the international seminar “My People's fairy tales and legends”, the art exhibitions, as well as a collaboration contract with Surindra Rajabhat University in education and culture. The Fashion Show was great and beautiful, where two participants from each country presented their own costumes and three more participants had the chance to turn into a variety of characters – lotus flowers, snakes, elephants and other personals.
In the festival concerts where we knew the culture of many countries, we had a friendly relationship with a number of delegations, but particularly sincere with India. With excitement, we watched and listened to Asian states, because their performances and suits differ sharply from our national traditions.
The festival organisers had also taken care that we would be familiar with Thailand, through temples rich in Buddha's image, through waterfall, silk production village, as well as the memorable trip to Ziloņciems. Each had a chance to go on the elephant's back, sit on the trunk and watch the grand elephant show. It was a wealthy trip. The festival ran for ten days, but it seemed that time ran very quickly, because every day there was a event and a concert that did not allow grief.
In order to allow the folklore set “Raznava” to participate in the international festival in Thailand and to bring the name of Latvia and Rezekne further, thank you very much for the administration and cultural division of the municipality of Rezekne, Kaunatas, Čornajas and Mākoņkalna parish council, who provided financial assistance, souvenirs, transport within the limits of their capabilities. We each tried to tell us where the small country is, Latvia, which is rich with its cultural heritage.
7.30 – 18.00
Kaunatas folklore “Rasnava” driver
