Hidden Wonders - Grand Candle Festival

The International Wax Sculpture on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary

Venue: Ubon Ratchathani
Date: July 1 - 30, 2007

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following activities will be held during the month-long festival from 1-30 July. Ubon Ratchathani Art and Culture Festival
Visits to the candle-crafting communities of Ubon Ratchathani
An exhibition of wax sculptures by nine international artists representing Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal, the Ukraine, and Thailand
Light-and-Sound presentation
Traditional I-San style palaeng set dinner
Beauty contest
A grand procession of 80 Lenten candles
Presentations of I-San folk culture by 80 traditional Northeastern folk dance troupes 
 
Weekly activities
July 1-8
Ubon Art and Culture Festival

July 9 – 22
Forging International Relations
A Celebration of Thai-Japanese Culture
Thai-Chinese Cultural Showcase and Cultural Exchange
International Wax Sculpture Exhibition
At the plaza in front of the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum

July 23 – 30
Keeping Buddhist Traditions and Buddhist Art Alive
At Thung Si Muang field
 
As the seasonal monsoon rains descend over the kingdom, it marks the beginning of the Buddhist "rain retreat" and the Buddhist Lent, or "Phansa", during which all Buddhist monks retreat to the temples. This is also an auspicious time for Buddhist ordinations as it marks a period of spiritual renewal.

Known as "Khao Phansa", the Buddhist Lent is a time devoted to study and meditation. Buddhist monks remain within the temple grounds and do not venture out for a period of three months starting from the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month (in July) to the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eleventh lunar month (in October).

As Ubon Ratchathani province prepares for the Buddhist Lent, men folk, ordained as well as laymen, with artistic skills set about the task of moulding and sculpting Lenten candles. As these works of art are to be presented as Buddhist merit-making offerings, the artisans pour their heart and soul into their craft. Many of these are fine examples of Buddhist art and sculpture. The candle festival is unique to Ubon Ratchathani province and the customs and traditions related to this Buddhist festival have been diligently preserved by local communities.

Making Merit
Thai Buddhists engage in merit-making as an expression of respect and gratitude by making offerings to Lord Buddha, venerable monks, past and present kings, and to parents, grandparents and their ancestors.

Making merit relates strongly to the concept of rebirth. The accumulation of merit, or bun, is believed to exert a powerful influence on one's future life and, indeed, rebirths.

According to Buddhist teachings, all actions performed in our daily lives affect our field of merit, but none more so than the support of Buddhism itself. When one offers material support to a Buddhist monk — be it alms in the form of food or donations, or voluntary work — one is helping to assure that Buddhist teachings live on. This accumulates merit not only for the giver by helping sustain Buddhism. It also provides the opportunity for future generations to make and accumulate merit. In addition to the monk's morning alms round, the presentation of the Lenten candles is also a merit-making act.

Visits to Candle-Crafting Communities of Ubon Ratchathani
July 1 – 28, 2007
Visit the following candle-crafting communities and watch artisans at work making ornately sculpted Lenten candles. Wat Thung Sri Muang community
Wat Bupharam community
Wat Sri Pra Ku community
Wat Phra That Nong Bua community
Wat Nong Pla Paak community
Prathum Vittayakarn School (Nong Katok)
Baan Kum Pun Weaving Village
 
Ubon Ratchathani Art and Culture Festival
July 1 – 31, 2007
Monday-Thursday: 10.00 – 19.00
Friday, weekends and public holidays: 10.00 – 22.00

This colourful showcase highlights various fascinating aspects of traditional and contemporary Isan art and culture. This includes exhibitions covering a range of themes and topics such as the lotus - for which the city of 'Ubon' (which means lotus in Thai) was named, Isan style ceremonial flags called tungs, an exhibition of Lenten Candles, floral craft made from banana leaves, traditional and ethnic textiles, pottery and earthenware products native to Ubon Ratchathani province, souvenirs and memorabilia moulded from candle wax.

Each of the sub-districts or tambon of Ubon Ratchathani province are famous for locally grown or hand-crafted products considered to be unique to the area. These are brought together at the fair, offering a convenient opportunity for one-stop shopping for a vast range of souvenirs and local products. As in other regions of the kingdom, food is an integral part of the local fabric of life and a vital element of every Isan celebration. Enjoy live demonstrations of local cuisine and savour the full range of delicious Isan delicacies.