Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance & Music was inspired by one man’s vision to   organize an annual international cultural event for Bangkok, on par with those staged in major cities around the world, and develop the breadth and depth of dance and music in Thailand.

The Festival founders approached HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhivas Rajnagarindra with the vision, and HRH graciously gave her support by heading the Festival Committee as Honorary Chairperson from 1998-2003 and then as the Festival’s Royal Patron until her demise in early 2008. HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang provided invaluable guidance and direction during the Festival’s uncertain early years and subsequent spurt of growth.

The 1st Festival was inaugurated in 1999 in honour of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 72nd (sixth cycle) birthday. The Festival has since grown in size and repute and now, for each annual five-week season, over 1,000 performing artists from around the world fly into Bangkok to stage productions ranging from concerts, operas and classical ballets to contemporary dances, jazz  and traditional dances, and the occasional  unique genre such as Fado or ballet on ice.

In addition to a loyal following from Bangkok and other cities and towns in Thailand, the Festival has also secured a reputation in Asia and as far as Europe, and each year over 3,000 overseas visitors fly into Bangkok to attend the Festival.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously replaced HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang as the Festival’s Royal Patron in May 2008, and under HRH’s further guidance and direction we remain committed to the vision that arts and culture has a vital and unique role to play in the world. Apart from contributing to creative development in societies, it is a unifying force cutting across race and politics.

The 2009 programme will present 16 productions by artists and theatres from as far as: Italy, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, India, United Kingdom and the United States of America. The programme includes powerful operas, stimulating contemporary dance and opera-ballet, recently re-choreographed ballet classics, soul-tingling Fado, and the unique genres of all-male ballet and ballet on ice.

We look forward to welcoming you at Bangkok’s 11th International Festival of Dance & Music!