Asst.Prof.Dr.Rawin Raviwongse, president, National Science Museum(NSM), H.E. Mrs.Serap Ersoy, Ambassador of Turkey to Thailand, ,Dr.Pavadee Aungkavattana, deputy director, Program Management Unit for Human Resource & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation, PMU-B, Mr.Chanyuth Svetasuvarn, director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Bangkok Office, Ms.Parichat Svetasreni, director, International Mega Event and Festival Development, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Mr.Nimit Pipithkul, director, Semathai Marionette Arts for Social Foundation, and Dr.Nuannawan Cha-um, assistant of General director, Gammaco (Thailand) Co.,Ltd., participated in the grand opening ceremony of “Harmony World Puppet Innovation Festival 2024, on November 13, 2024 at NSM, Klong 5, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani province. The Harmony World Puppet Innovation Festival 2024 was held under the theme of “Puppet Maker”, The theme was chosen to highlight the top-notch shows of the distinctive Thai and international puppets troupes from over 13 countries during November 13-17, 2024 at NSM.
Prof.Dr.Rawin Raviwonse, NSM said “the Harmony World Puppet Innovation Festival 2024” is a major national event of Thailand that strengthens cooperation between government and private organizations and civil society. The festival has provided a space for the Thai society to learn about science, stories of art and culture through puppetry, and robot “Stop Motion Animation Illustration”. Including the integration of science, technology, innovation, temporary art, and culture can make puppet shows livelier, more interesting, and communicate the creativity of the puppet creators towards the audience. The arrangement of puppet festival is also in line with the minister of MHESI’s policy (Ministry of Higher Education, Science Research, and Innovation), Ms..Supamas Isarabhakdi regarding the enhancement of inspiration and knowledge experiences for Thai people through arranging easy and fun learning activities for all ages in everywhere, and drawing out new ideas, leading to the development of skills and creative scientific thinking process for further development in the future.
NSM has consequently allocated the spaces of all NSM’s museums as theaters for Thai and international artists to perform puppetry. The shows aim to integrate science and art together. The content of the shows has divided in accordance with the presentation of the three museums: Science Museum, IT Museum and Rama 9 Museum. In the Science Museum, the show exhibits puppets and science-related invention activities. The show in IT museum is engaged in stories linked to puppet innovation and various innovations. In the Rama 9 Museum, the show tries to convey knowledge through stories of animals and plants.” Dr.Rawin said.
Dr.Pavadee Aungkavattana, PMU-B said “PMU-B’s mission is to manage and grant funds for human resource development in critical target areas of country development according to MHESI’s strategic plans and NXPO (Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council). It has worked towards enhancing science communication and granting STI (science, technology, and innovation) funds for country development. Due to PMU-B’s cooperation in this event, we are looking forward to seeing opportunities for youth, people, and the Thai society to absorb science integrated art matters leading to developing creative thinking, design and robot creation for future robotic mechanics in the future as well as expanding R&D and innovation capability to meet the needs of future industry.”
Mr.Chanyuth Svetasuvarn, TOT said “TOT has pointed out the importance and enhancing Thailand tourism industry in many prime events and in many other potential areas such as the World Puppet Festival. I believe that the Puppet Festival will be another milestone that creates a travel attraction for both Thai and foreign tourists. In addition, Pathum Thani province has been a cultural tourist attraction with a variety of learning resource and museums. This event is, therefore a stimulus for tourism in Pathum Thani that will raise more awareness in new perspectives. Tourists will experience the charm of puppet shows that present Thai identity and other unique cultures from international puppet shows. This will help complete their tourism experience in Thailand with various dimensions, and promoting Thailand’s image and soft power in line with international sustainable tourism industry and creative economy.”
Mr.Nimit Pipithkul, Semathai Marionette Arts for Social Foundation told about the highlights of the festival “This year, the puppet shows will performance by the Thai artists from 18 organizations, and more than 14 international puppet teams from 13 countries: Australia, Canada, Turkey, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, Colombia, Myanmar, Mexico, Indonesia, Singapore, Laos including Thailand. The highlights of the Thai puppetry are, for example, the Garuda Yutnak performance by the “Wayuput Youth Group” on November 15th; featuring small puppets and large Naga puppets with an innovative puppetry technique and presenting stories with dancing movement. On November 17th, enjoy the shadow puppet show “Ramayana” in 360 degrees from “the Wat Ban Don” puppet troupe performing in the immersive theatre system. And more highlights of international puppetry, for example, on November 13-17, “Sky Bird Puppet”, a traditional Chinese puppet show from Hong Kong, where performers will costume as clowns and interact their fun performances with the audience. Moreover, “HTW OO Myanmar” will tell you the story of Myanmar’s pagoda festival in its show. On November 15-16, let us join the shadow puppet on Footprint from “Sydney Puppet Theater”, who will present the story of “footprints” as an experimental shadow puppet show, along with narrative of showing respect for the land. On November 17th, enjoy the “Tyltyl & Mytyl” from “Ultervision”, Japan; a performance by three puppeteers in the Bunraku style. Many scenes are communicated through physical materials and expressions.”
Apart from the puppet shows and the stories of puppets, the festival also offers an exhibition on “Science & Culture in the World to Puppet” to provide knowledge related to cultural puppets, modern puppets, and Automata. We also offer a “Lego Brick Challenge” robot competition from Gammaco (Thailand), Co.,Ltd., including challenging robotic activity young people. A variety of workshops from local and international artists are also ready for the audience. For more information and reservation, please visit our website: https://ticket.nsm.or.th/eventmuseum, or call NSM at Tel. 2 577 9999 ext. 2122-2123, or visit Facebook : NSMThailand
