Candle Festival

The Significance of Crafted Candles as Buddhist Lent Merit-Making Offerings
The Candle Festival of Ubon Ratchathani province features a procession of ornately-carved traditional beeswax candles of various shapes and sizes. Buddhism, Buddhist traditions and beliefs are central forces that shape the local way of life and the customs and traditions related to this Buddhist festival have been carefully preserved by local communities.

As the seasonal monsoon rains descend over the kingdom, it marks the beginning of the Buddhist "rain retreat" and the Buddhist Lent, or Phansa, during which all Buddhist monks retreat to the temples. This is also an auspicious time for Buddhist ordinations as it marks a period of spiritual renewal.

Known as "Khao Phansa", the Buddhist Lent is a time devoted to study and meditation. Buddhist monks remain within the temple grounds and do not venture out for a period of three months starting from the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month (in July) to the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eleventh lunar month (in October). In former times, this is done to prevent monks from trampling upon rice paddies when they venture out to receive offerings from the villagers.

As the province prepares for the Buddhist Lent, men folk, ordained as well as laymen, with artistic skills set about the task of moulding and sculpting Lenten candles. As these works of art are to be presented as Buddhist merit-making offerings, the artisans pour their heart and soul into their craft. Many of these are fine examples of Buddhist art and sculpture.

Villagers actively engage in merit-making during the Buddhist Lent, making visits to temples to make offerings of food and items for daily use. The presentation of items that provide light, such as candles, lanterns and lamp oil, is deemed to be particularly important as these facilitate the study of holy scriptures and meditation by providing illumination to the monks, physically and spiritually.

Bringing together the Traditional and the Contemporary
To help keep ancient customs and traditions alive, the provincial authorities have added more contemporary elements to the traditional festival in an attempt to create broader appeal and attract younger visitors.

In addition to the exhibition of wax sculptures by the participating international artists from Japan, Nepal, Belgium, France, Ukraine, Latvia, Spain, Brazil, and host country, Thailand, the festival programme now includes other art and design-related highlights such as the Silpakorn Art Pool featuring handcrafted candles workshops and sound art, the Lat Krabang Art Scene featuring film and photo, interactive art, art camp, and Kids Art Village.

Other attractions, such as the Ubon Art Street, the Ubon Weekend Market and Laeng Pla Ploen Market, traditional and contemporary folk music performances, are all designed to add to the festive ambience of the event.

6th THAILAND INTERNATIONAL WAX SCULPTURE
TIMELINE
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FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

	VISITS TO CANDLE-CRAFTING COMMUNITIES OF UBON RATCHATHANI There are seven specially selected candle-making temple communities noted for their hand-crafted traditional beeswax candles. These are Wat Thung Sri Muang community, Wat Bupharam community, Wat Sri Pra Ku community, Wat That Nong Bua community, Wat Nong Pla Paak community, and Prathum Vittayakarn School (Nong Katok). Visits to each will provide interesting insights into an ancient artistic tradition and local culture. Watch the local artisans meticulously at work in a natural setting. Candles featured in the Buddhist lental candle procession generally consist of crafted candles, moulded candles and ancient candles. The candle-crafting tool set consists of knives, chisels, metal hooks of various shapes and sizes and paint brushes. The process of moulding candles is similar to the crafting process except the candle-maker initially casts smaller-sized candles which he or she then moulds together into a larger beeswax candle structure. While superior quality beeswax is used to mould candles; only the very finest quality beeswax is used for crafting ornamental candles.
	INTERNATIONAL WAX SCULPTURE CONTEST Candle artisans representing nine countries from around the world – namely Japan, Nepal, Belgium, France, Ukraine, Latvia, Spain, Brazil, and host country, Thailand – will be taking part in the 2011 International Wax Sculpture Contest. Participating Artists Mr Ikeda Shigeru from Japan presents ‘Heart’ Mr Om Khattri from Nepal presents ‘Infinity’ Mr Jonathan Mencarelli from France presents ‘Sunrise Energy’ Mr Ojārs Arvīds Feldbergs from Latvia presents ‘Vertical Knot’ Mr Thierry Lauwers from Belgium presents ‘Sustain my heart… Sustain my world’ Ms Lyudmyla Mysko from the Ukraine presents ‘Song of my heart’ Mr Jorge Luiz Schröder from Brazil presents ‘Wrapper’ Mr Phuttipong Wongwanna presents ‘Light of Dhamma’
	CANDLE EXHIBITION An exhibition of Lenten Candles at Thung Sri Muang Park featuring crafted candles, moulded candles and ancient candles.
	CANDLE CRAFTING Crafted candles, moulded candles and ancient candles The beeswax candles of Ubon Ratchathani province generally fall into one of four types – candles on a square structure or Mondop, a beeswax castle or Prasat pueng, candles that form a cone-shaped structure called Poom and candles that are tied together, Mat Ruam. Types of beeswax candles: Mandapa-shaped Candles (Mondop) A mondop or mandapa is a structural form with a square base and a spired or pyramidal roof. Mondop candles are used as a receptacle to hold sacred offerings which are brought to temples during the ‘kathin’ season when monk robes are presented as offerings. Mandapa-shaped candles are used only for worship; they are not lit. Beeswax Candle Castle (Prasat Pueng) The beeswax candle castle is one of the elements of Buddhist merit-making rituals. These are also used in ancestor worship rituals to dedicate merit to ancestors. The beeswax ‘castle’ is also sometimes featured in propitiation rituals. However the use of the trunk of a banana tree, parts of which are folded into triangular-shapes, is preferred. Taro, turnip or sweet potato are sometimes carved into the floral shapes and dipped into heated beeswax, left to dry and used to decorate the banana tree. Cone-Shaped (Poom) Smaller candles are bonded together to form a cone-shaped structure. They serve a decorative purpose and are used to adorn the main candle. These are then presented as merit-making offerings. Candles that are tied together (Mat Ruam) Smaller candles are simply tied together into a bunch before they are presented as merit-making offerings. The cone-shaped poom and mat ruam candles are similar. Both reflect the ingenuity of villagers in creating a variety of ways to adorn their candle offerings.
	THE GRAND CANDLE PROCESSION The magnificent Grand Candle Procession will comprise different candle processions, led by the Procession of the Royal Candle. Presentations of I-San folk culture add a colourful aspect to the festival.
	Presentations of I-San folk art and culture
	OTOP FAIR Each of the sub-districts or tambon of Ubon Ratchathani province are famous for locally grown or hand-crafted products considered to be unique to the area. These are brought together at the One Tambon One Product or OTOP Fair, offering a convenient opportunity for one-stop shopping for a vast range of souvenirs and local products.

Contact information:

Tourism Authority of Thailand, Ubon Ratchathani Office
Tel: +66 (0) 4524 3770
Fax: +66 (0) 4524 3771
E-mail: tatubon@tat.or.th

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