The Festival gets underway

Bangkok's15TH International Festival of Dance and Music got underway last Friday with a magical performance of “Nutcracker on Ice” by the Imperial Ice Stars from the United Kingdom at Thailand’s Cultural Centre in Bangkok.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the opening ceremony and enjoyed the award-winning performance, which featured more than 20 Olympic, World, European and National Championship skaters. This is the third time the Imperial Ice Stars have come to Thailand to perform their world class ballet on ice and the audience was again bowled over by the dancing as well as by the state-of the-art set design and lighting.

At the cocktail reception held prior to the performance in the Small Auditorium, corporate sponsors and festival organisers mingled with diplomats, socialites and celebrities. The Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music is held every year and is regarded as the longest showcase of performance arts in Thailand and, more importantly, the biggest international festival of music and dance in Asia.

This year, the line-up does not disappoint with more than 1,000 performers from 12 different countries featuring 17 performances that run through October 14.

A variety of exceptional performances featuring opera, ballet, symphony orchestra, jazz, contemporary dance, and other exhilarating shows from diverse cultures consistently impresses all audiences alike.