Cultural event to introduce Thai traditions in Azerbaijan
By Nigar Orujova
The Azerbaijan State Theater of Young Spectators in Baku will host an event the Experience of Thailand 2013 on July 12.
The first Thai art and cultural event in Azerbaijan since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992 will take place on the initiative of the Kingdom of Thailand and with the support of Azerbaijan's Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Participants will be informed about the historical and cultural heritage of Thailand; Thai dishes as well as the fruit-carving tradition will be presented. The event will also feature Thai massage and dancing.
The objective of this first-ever cultural event is to introduce Thailand to the Azerbaijani people through the uniqueness of Thai art and culture, which, in turn, will increase Thai-Azerbaijani people-to-people contacts and further foster amicable ties between Thailand and Azerbaijan.
Some thirty cultural figures of Thailand are expected to visit Azerbaijan.
In the frame of the event, a meeting of a Thai delegation with Azerbaijani culture representatives will be held, which will include a discussion on further cooperation.
Thai Ambassador to Azerbaijan Rathakit Manathat paid a visit to Baku from April 30 to May 4, in preparation for the Thai art and cultural event in Azerbaijan.
During the visit, Manathat met with Azerbaijan's Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfaz Garayev. Both sides believe that Thailand and Azerbaijan should have legal framework on trade and investment, establish a visa-free regime for diplomatic and service passport holders and implement the existing bilateral agreements, including Civil Aviation Agreement, protocol on cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of Thailand and Azerbaijan and Agreement on Cooperation between the Board of Trade of Thailand and the Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Thailand's honorary consulate general was opened in Azerbaijan in June 2006.
Thailand is one of the most fascinating tourist destinations to visit; the country is culturally very different for the Western world, situated between Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, with the Gulf of Thailand to its south.
Its culture mixes strong Indian influences, Chinese traditions and elements that are uniquely Thai. Thailand is called the land of a thousand smiles with its friendly people.
Thailand has rugged mountains in the north and world-famous tropical beaches in the south; it is a land of pristine beauty, which definitely is in a must-see list in this part of the world.
Thai culture is deeply influenced by religion. Buddhism influenced the Thai culture a lot, and many of the traditions and beliefs in Thailand stem directly from Buddhist principles with around 95 percent of the country being Theraveda Buddhist.
Hinduism as well as Buddhism also made important contributions to the culture of the country, which can be seen in art, literature and customs.
The most important values that Thai people embrace are respect, self-control, and a non-confrontational attitude.
Respect for elders and for those in higher social positions is also important. The young respect the elderly and family is central to Thai life, which makes two different countries like Azerbaijan and Thailand similar.