Sukhothai College of Dramatic Arts (Sukhothai CDA) has been selected to participate in the Jinju World Folk Art Biennale 2024 under the theme of Cultural Cooperation for PEACE. This international event was held between 17-20 October 2024 in Jinju, Republic of Korea to express and exchange cultural diversity through traditional dance. Sukhothai CDA has created a performance with Khon Masked Dance to express the beauty of cultural diversity in Thai culture (Khon Masked Dance-Drama in Thailand Inscribed in 2018 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity). It is a performing art combining graceful dance movements, instrumental and vocal renditions, and glittering costumes. Khon performances, which have a strong didactic function, depict the life and glory of Rama, the hero and incarnation of the god Vishnu, who brings order and justice to the world. While traditionally Khon was transmitted in the royal or princely courts and in dance master households, today, transmission occurs mostly in educational institutions. Sukhothai is one of the top five Colleges of Dramatic Art which offers a Khon programme to students. Impressively, the Sukhothai CDA has integrated traditional performances into city cultural-based events all year round. Traditional dances are operated either in class or freely offered at the Sukhothai Historic Park to walk-in learners during the weekend. It plays an important role in preserving and promoting PEACE through cultural shows to support the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) and Global Network Learning Cities (GNLC).
Cultural Arts Education for the Transmission of Local Cultural Heritage (Jinju Academic Seminar, 2024)
