Ten years ago, Jitti Chompee, founder of 18 Monkeys Dance Theater, brought into being the first Unfolding Kafka Festival, a world-class performing arts platform. Now, he is composing its spectacular end -- a celebration of the centennial anniversary of Franz Kafka's death and the festival's own 10-year anniversary. Eclipsing previous editions in scale and range, the ambitious programme of 15 performances (including two world premieres and six Asian premieres), four exhibitions and a screening will feature 40 local performers and 25 international guest artists from 13 countries.
Reflecting on the festival's journey, his exploration of molam in his latest works, and the relationship between Thailand's art, culture and economy, Jitti shares what makes this festival special and where he's heading next. Above A lam pifah ceremony. Photo: Piyatat Hemmatat Why will this be the last edition of the Unfolding Kafka Festival? Over the last 10 years, the festival's growth has been unprecedented.
I was driven to rally support, build a broad network of performing artists, and realise a model for the expression and development of Thailand's international performing arts potential. Now that the festival is ending, it's not all bleak -- I feel grateful, too. I envisioned the festival as a kind of experimental model that would provide enrichment in the performing arts to artists and audiences.
Its afterlife will be as an archive of rigorous and cutting-edge projects of cultural exchange betwee.
