Faculty and students from the Khon Kaen Choreography Development project showcase Isan culture and engage with global artistic networks.
Students and faculty members from the Department Performing Arts at Khon Kaen University (KKU), representing the Khon Kaen Choreography Development (KKCD) project, recently participated in a contemporary performing arts exchange programme under the National Choreography Centre of Thailand (NCCT). Led by Silpathorn Artist Mr. Jitti Chompee, the delegation visited the French Republic from 8 to 26 June 2026. This international initiative received financial sponsorship from the FEF-R Fund of the Embassy of France in Thailand and the Alliance Française de Chiang Mai.
The primary objective of this international engagement was to provide participants with direct exposure to the contemporary dance ecosystem, foster the development of next-generation artists, and establish collaborative networks between Thailand, France, and various global arts institutions. The delegation from the Department of Performing Arts consisted of Assoc. Prof. Thanatchaporn Kittikong, Ph.D., Asst. Prof. Pongsatorn Yoddamnoen, Ph.D., Mr. Suphanat Wongchotiwanich, Mr. Kiattisak Boonchalieo, Mr. Chakrit Chinchoti, and Ms. Wanwisa Khiandee.
From 8 to 13 June 2026, the group participated in activities in Lyon at the Centre National de la Danse (CND), a premier institution for dance in France. The itinerary comprised three core components: a workshop transferring the traditional knowledge of Thai Khon classical dance, the presentation of artistic projects by the NCCT alongside documentary screenings and public discussions, and professional study visits and academic exchanges with prominent institutions. These included the Ballet de l’Opéra de Lyon, the Regional Conservatory of Music and Dance, the Centre Chorégraphique National de Rillieux-la-Pape (CCNR), the Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse de Lyon (CNSMDL), and the Maison de la Danse. Furthermore, the KKU students and faculty co-performed “Morlam Collective,” a creative piece choreographed by Mr. Chompee that translates northeastern Thai cultural heritage into international contemporary art.
Subsequently, from 15 to 26 June 2026, the delegation travelled to Bordeaux to attend CAMPING Bordeaux 2026 at the Théâtre National Bordeaux Aquitaine (TNBA). The group joined as workshop participants and observers of international educational models and professional development in choreography. CAMPING Bordeaux 2026 brought together 22 dance schools from 11 countries worldwide, including Bard College (New York, USA), Les Beaux-Arts de Paris (France), the Performing Arts Research and Training Studios (PARTS, Brussels, Belgium), Università IUAV (Venice, Italy), and the Conservatorio Superior de Danza María de Ávila (CSDMA, Spain). The workshops were conducted by renowned artists and instructors from world-class dance academies.
Asst. Prof. Pongsatorn Yoddamnoen, Ph.D., a lecturer in the Department of Music and Performing Arts at the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, KKU, stated that this learning experience offered a vital opportunity to build networks among international artists, choreographers, lecturers, students, researchers, and arts practitioners. He noted that participants were able to practice and exchange methodologies, training techniques, and contemporary dance perspectives, thereby bridging local Thai knowledge with the global artistic network.
The participation in Lyon and Bordeaux provided the delegation with direct exposure to contemporary dance within an international framework. This milestone marks a significant step for the faculty and students of KKU’s Performing Arts Department in connecting local Thai cultural heritage with global contemporary dance networks, successfully advancing the university’s strategic goals in international collaboration, community engagement, and the creative economy.
