» The administrators of Khon Kaen University discuss with the Cultural Affairs Office, U.S. Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand to raise the Art and Culture research and activities. (1756 Views)

On November 11, 2020, at 10.00 hrs. at Sirikunakorn 4, Sirikunakorn building, Khon Kaen University. The administrators of Khon Kaen University led by Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Vice President for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Assistant to the President for International Affairs, Dr. Kittisan Sriruksa, Assistant to the President for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy and Mrs. Wilawan Ungsunantawiwat, Acting Director of International Affairs Division, Assoc. Prof. Wanida Kanarkard, Director of KKU Library,  discussed with the delegations of the Cultural Affairs Office, U.S. Embassy, Bangkok Thailand to exchange the art and cultural topics, raise the research of Art and Culture, and other possibilities of cultural event arrangement.  

The U.S Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand, understands the significance of art and culture. Therefore, they would like to cooperate and conserve lost culture for the next generation and establish a cultural preservation project funded by U.S. Embassy AFCP grants which
focuses on antiques, archaeological sites, and lost culture. Today, there are 20 research projects in Thailand. However, there are few cultural research projects in the Isan area, so they would like to invite interested faculty and researchers to submit concept notes on arts and culture research by 24 November 2020.

 Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Vice President for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, said Khon Kaen University is at the center of Isan culture. Recently, on October 31st, Khon Kaen University organized Khon Kaen University Loi Krathong Tradition 2020 or Si Than Festival to promote Thai culture; however, due to the situation of COVID-19, the university  organized a simple concept that emphasized culture. For a cultural preservation project funded under AFCP, which focused on near-lost cultures, antiques, archaeological sites and Northeastern arts and culture, Khon Kaen University presented a carved wooden buddha that has a value from the early Rattanakosin era, but is now abandoned and has gradually been forgotten. This carved wooden buddha represents the cultural roots of the Mekong River, the origin of the Isan people who work and inspire creative work together. Moreover, this is a co-cultural artifact with Lan Xang and Lanna cultures. Also, there is also a Morlam culture and Wai Kru ceremony with a delicate beauty. Lastly, mural paintings at Wat Sanuan Wari Phattanaram, Khon Kaen Province, express the story of Buddhism and the way of life of the community. This mural painting is easy to understand. However, now the picture is beginning to fade away. Therefore, it should be seen as one of the archaeological sites that we should hasten to conserve and restore.

Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Assistant to the President for International Affairs said that Khon Kaen University is an international university. And it is a source of multiculturalism.  Also, there were  activities organized in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand. For example, the "Daniel Ho and Kealiʻi Ceballos" concert for the 200th anniversary , in February 2020, The USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia Live in 2019, and recently, a special lecture of scholarship program from Education USA which held to provide information and opportunities to Study in the USA. Therefore, this meeting is a good opportunity for both of us to join and co- organizing projects or other activities together. And that can promote cultural exchange aiming for internationalization. 

And at 11:00 hrs. The delegation of the Cultural Affair Office,  the U.S Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand met with administrators and lectures from the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts. Khon Kaen University to discuss cultural cooperation and other activities. 

News/Photo: Prowsaeng Poosinghar

 

Poster : พราวแสง ภูสิงหา [Ms. Prowsaeng Poosinghar] | 10 พฤศจิกายน 63