THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 7 July 2026, 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 on the international stage. By showcasing its 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.
On this occasion, Assistant Professor Dr. Somkiat Poomipak, President of the BPI, assigned the Faculty of Performing Arts to lead a troupe of performers at the Thailand Grand Festival 2026. The event, held from 2-6 July at Lange Voorhout in The Hague, the Netherlands, was organised by the Royal Thai Embassy and attracted strong interest from Dutch and international audiences alike, earning praise for the elegance and beauty of Thai performing arts on the international stage.
The performances featured a variety of 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 a showcase of traditional Thai costumes. Both performances drew particular attention from festival visitors.
Other performances included the opening production “Charm of Siam”, followed by the traditional Nora dance and creative productions titled “Kinaree Ron Ok Nora Buchayan” (The Flight of Kinnaree and Nora Sacrificial Dance), “Leela Mak Kaep” (The Rhythm of Isan Wooden Castanets), “Kipas Renang” (The Graceful Fan Dance), and “Chor Sin Thin Thai” (The Bouquet of Thai Arts). The performances received a warm reception from audiences, showcasing the charm, identity and elegance of Thailand’s cultural heritage on an international stage.
Furthermore, on 5 July, the Faculty of Performing Arts also organised a cultural workshop in The Hague for members of the Thai diaspora. The session introduced participants to the fundamentals of Thai performing arts and the creative performance “Puen Thai,” aiming to promote learning about Thai cultural arts while strengthening connections between overseas Thais and their cultural heritage.
The international cultural outreach reflects the BPI’s role as Thailand’s leading educational institution for arts and culture in preserving, promoting and expanding Thai performing arts internationally while fostering cultural exchange and strengthening ties between Thailand and the global community.