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Award-winning works of arts and crafts from around the South-East Asian region will be on display at the 1st ASEAN Arts and Crafts Festival 2006 held between 29 November to 3 December 2006 at the SUPPORT Arts & Crafts International Centre of Thailand in Bang Sai, Ayutthaya.

All winners of the 2006 UNESCO Seal of Excellence in Handicrafts (referred to as the Seal), the 27 products feature a range of decorative items, handicrafts, jewellery, fashion, home textile and fabrics, household products, gifts, artworks and food products made in the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand).

The Seal of Excellence is effectively a “seal of approval” which guarantees that the handicraft products with this seal conform to the rigorous standards set by the programme and have potential for the world market.

The 1st ASEAN Arts and Crafts Festival 2006 is being organised to commemorate the 60th year on the throne of His Majesty King Bhumibhol as well as the long-standing contribution to Thai arts and crafts of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, founder of the SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT).

The 1st ASEAN Arts and Crafts Festival 2006 establishes a platform of cooperation for ASEAN Arts and Crafts and strives to raise international visibility and awareness of the rich cultural heritage of each of the 10 participating ASEAN nations and promotes knowledge transfer and exchange; promote greater awareness, understanding and appreciation of ASEAN’s arts and crafts and culture through artistic collaboration and exchange of information.

As a vehicle for promoting strong cooperation among ASEAN nations, SACICT, the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA) and UNESCO, the 1st ASEAN Arts and Crafts Festival 2006 will function as a one stop service for ASEAN arts and crafts, cultural promotion, tourism and trade networking, as well as create new market opportunities.

The festival is an excellent means of boosting intra-ASEAN peace and friendship by highlighting many of the cultural commonalities and shared heritage of the ASEAN region. It is also designed to boost tourism and contribute to poverty alleviation by raising the income of the rural dwellers who produce most of the arts and crafts.

Organisers of the festival believe that the awards as well as the exposure given to the products will boost their international saleability, and encourage the millions of arts and crafts workers in the ASEAN region to preserve and upgrade the design and quality standards of their products.

Established to encourage craft-workers to use traditional skills and materials, the
UNESCO Seal of Excellence in Handicrafts looks to ensure the continuation of traditional knowledge and the preservation of cultural diversity in the region. It aims to set quality standards, raise international awareness and strengthen market demand for Asian handicraft products.

The festival will feature exhibits of arts and crafts of each ASEAN country as well as national fashion shows and culinary items. Three of the world’s best puppet shows will also be presented — the Joe Louis Puppet Theatre, the last of the kingdom’s traditional Thai small puppets troupe and winner of the ‘Best Traditional Performance Award’ at the 10th World Festival of Puppet Art held in Prague, Czech Republic in June 2006; Water Puppet from Hanoi, Vietnam; and the famous Marionettes Puppet from Myanmar.

A seminar and workshop is also being held alongside to help the ASEAN representatives exchange ideas and expertise in boosting product quality standards, packaging and marketing.

Along with SACICT, the Festival is co-organised by the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA) with the cooperation of the Thai Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Commerce, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Association of Thai Travel Agents, Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

An international panel of judges and experts in design, marketing and handicraft production gathered in Ayutthaya in mid-September to judge the Southeast Asian submissions for the 2006 UNESCO Seal of Excellence in Handicrafts.

Of the record 129 submissions received this year, 27 handicrafts were awarded the Seal of Excellence based on their ability to meet six key criteria; excellence, authenticity, innovation, eco-friendliness, marketability and social responsibility.

2006 UNESCO Seal of Excellence Southeast Asia SEAL Awarded Products
Cambodia : – Sunset Shawl, Artisans d’Angkor – Natural Plate, Artisans d’Angkor

Indonesia : – Pareo Batik, Wirokuto Batik – Tenun Songket, Salila Antiq Songket – Butterflies Balinese Shawl and Dancer Kebaya, Biat Design – Ethnic Travel Bag, Jasia Daya Creation – Bemban Bag, Piluss Andini Exporindo – Perahu Layar Mojopahit, SSBT.

Laos PDR – Organza Silk Shawl, Phaeng Mai Gallery – Organza Silk Scarf, Phaeng Mai Gallery

Malaysia – Spirit Sculptures (series), Museum Shop, Muzium Negara KL – Spirit Masks (series), Museum shop, Muzium Negara KL

Myanmar – Vase (WA 482), Wah Lwin Manufacturing Co.

Philippines – Wicker Muslim Craft Pillow, S.C.Vizcarra Incorporated

Singapore – Art Glass Jewelry, Simont Silver and Glass

Thailand – Traditional Thai Revival Wood Block Printed Textile, Triphum & Ong – Hand Shuttle Woven Silk Double Ikat Scarf (2), Ban Reng Khai Group – Tradition Hand Weaving Clothes, Chatthamon Thai silk – Double Ikat Thai silk, Chabatik Co. Ltd – King Rama IX Mosaic, Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre – Jongpara, Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre – Buffalo Horn and Bone Comb Set, Ngern Boonsrang

Vietnam – 3 Ceramic Vases, Tran Minh Kinh Ceramic Workshop – Bat Trang Pottery Vases, Chuc Hung Ceramics – Fruit and Wine Lacquer Bowl, Kima Lacquer Art

Highlights – A grand exhibition of masterpieces and works of art and crafts created by designers, artists and craftsmen from ASEAN nations, including decorative items, handicrafts, jewellery, fashion and accessories, home textiles and fabrics, household products, artistic creations, gift items as well as food products – A showcase of award-winning works of arts and crafts awarded the UNESCO Seal of Excellence in Handicrafts 2006 – ASEAN Cultural Show – National Day – Arts and Crafts’ Seminar and Workshop – Three of the world’s best puppet shows
The Joe Louis Puppet Theatre, the last of the kingdom’s traditional Thai small puppets troupe; Water Puppet from Hanoi, Vietnam; and the famous Marionettes Puppet from Myanmar – ASEAN Arts and Crafts Village — Pavilion – ASEAN Arts and Crafts Market – ASEAN Food Market

At the SUPPORT Arts & Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT) Bang Sai, Ayutthaya
59 Moo 4 Chang-Yai Sub District, Bangsai Ayutthaya Province 13290
Tel. +66 35 367 054-9
Fax. +66 35 367 051
Web site: www.sacict.net

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