The northeastern province of Loei is ready to host a world mask pageant from March 17 to 19. The festival will showcase the cultural sights of the province that borders Laos. Organisers hope to show visitors the charming environment and vibrant colors of Loei at the three-day occasion.
Naga courtyard will host the opening ceremony on March 17 at 6pm. The space is positioned in the Kut Pong Public Park. Carnival masks from seven Asian countries – Cambodia, China, Laos, the Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand – will be highlighted in a parade.
In addition, guests can witness the “Masks of Three Ghosts” performance that embodies Loei’s cultural identification. These embrace Phi Ta Khon, Phi Khan Nam, and Phi Bung Tao.
The Phi Ta Khon serves as a method of exhibiting respect to the spirits of ancestors. The costumes are made up of masks and attire manufactured from bamboo steamers and material remnants are sewn together. The masks are intricately painted to look funny and scary, with lengthy, pointed noses made from wood and horns created from dried coconut husks.
Official identified as Phi Khan Nam, which bear a resemblance to buffalo heads, are crafted from wooden sourced from cotton and milkwood trees. Intricate and historic patterns are painted onto these masks. They represent a hairy water ghost.
In distinction, Phi Bung Tao is a large mask created using gourds and is mounted atop flags woven within the traditional type.
Light and sound shows, outside water curtains, and musical fountains will also be displayed, adding colour and pleasure to the competition. And for the Instagram era, there shall be designated areas for photographs with two- and three-dimensional avenue art and colourful three ghosts masked characters.
Finally, no pageant is complete with out food stalls. The market in Loei will characteristic native cuisine, fusion meals, cooking demonstrations, cultural products, domestically woven materials, and materials tailor-made specifically for international tourists. Additionally, Myths walking street might be set as much as display Thai art and provide memento handicrafts for sale.
The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture in Loei and the Ministry of Culture have organised the mask festival. Tourism Authority of Thailand, Rajabhat University, and Loei’s municipality also aided in internet hosting the event. Other contributors from the provincial government embrace the cultural office, the chamber of commerce, and the cultural council.
The highlight of the three-day occasion might be seeing and studying concerning the three ghosts tradition of the Loei locals. Phi Ta Khon is believed to be a method of summoning the spirits of the ancestors, who are believed to have turn into guardian angels of town and could bless the earth with fertility or curse it with famine..