Thai Dance And Arts Shine At Netherlands Festival
Thailand's Bunditpatanasilpa Institute showcased traditional Nora dance, Thai costumes and performing arts at the Thailand Grand Festival 2026 in The Hague, captivating Dutch and international audiences from July 2-6.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Bunditpatanasilpa Institute (BPI) showcased Nora dance, traditional Thai costumes and creative performing arts, captivating Dutch and international audiences at the Thailand Grand Festival 2026 in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Thailand's BPI under the Ministry of Culture continues to advance its mission of promoting Thai arts and culture internationally. By showcasing expertise in traditional Thai dance, music, performing arts and cultural heritage, the institute brings these cultural treasures to both the Thai diaspora and international audiences. The initiative aims to reflect Thailand's cultural identity, raise global awareness and enhance the value of Thai cultural arts worldwide.
Assistant Professor Dr. Somkiat Poomipak, President of the BPI, assigned the Faculty of Performing Arts to lead a troupe of performers at the festival. The event, held from July 2-6 at Lange Voorhout in The Hague and organized by the Royal Thai Embassy, attracted strong interest from Dutch and international audiences, earning praise for the elegance and beauty of Thai performing arts.
Performances featured traditional and contemporary productions, with highlights including Nora, the southern Thai dance-drama inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021, alongside traditional Thai costumes. The program opened with "Charm of Siam" followed by traditional Nora dance and creative productions including "The Flight of Kinnaree and Nora Sacrificial Dance," "The Rhythm of Isan Wooden Castanets," "The Graceful Fan Dance," and "The Bouquet of Thai Arts." All performances received warm reception from audiences.
On July 5, the Faculty of Performing Arts also organized a cultural workshop in The Hague for Thai diaspora members, introducing them to fundamentals of Thai performing arts and the creative performance "Puen Thai." The session aimed to promote learning about Thai cultural arts while strengthening connections between overseas Thais and their heritage.
The BPI continues its role as Thailand's leading educational institution for arts and culture, preserving and promoting Thai performing arts internationally while fostering cultural exchange and strengthening ties between Thailand and the global community.
