Emotional Opening Ceremony in Chiang Mai
Program in compliment to the late King Bhumibol
It was a very emotional evening yesterday in Hall 3 of Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre. In place of the original program the hosts from Thailand and their international guests celebrated together an opening in compliment to the late King of Thailand, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej. The first song, “The King’s Anthem”, performed by the Bangkok Voices and conducted by the Artistic Director of the event, Kittiporn Tantrarungroj (Thailand), moved the Thai to tears, many singers in the audience sang along.
The international guests received an explanation of the significance of the late King to the Thai people in order to make them understand why his death is a very personal and shocking incident for every individual Thai, which also effects on the course of the 1st Lanna International Choir Competition.
A video showing pictures from King Bhumibols life and projects additionally illustrated his significance and further was another great honor for His Majesty.
The program continued with another performance by the Bangkok Voices. They presented two pieces that were composed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej himself. According to legend, the first one, “Lullaby”, emerged when the King himself hold his daughter in his arms trying to bring her to sleep. This piece was followed by his work “The Nobles Dream”, a patriotic song for the Motherland, which again reduced the Thai spectators to tears.
As a comforting closing of this sad, but festive and very friendly Opening Ceremony the Artistic Director from INTERKULTUR, Romans Vanags (Latvia) conducted the Bangkok Voices performing a piece by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and all singers in the audience were asked to sing along.
For the Thai people this special opening of the 1st Lanna International Choir Competition was an important honoring and appreciation of the late King. For their international guests it was a unique and valuable insight into one of the most personal parts of the Thai culture.
More pictures from the opening and updates of the competition starting today can be found on the events official Facebook page.
