CHESTER will celebrate Thai New Year – Songkran – for the first time this Saturday.
Celebrations of Songkran have been organised by the Cheshire & North Wales UK Thai Society and the event is an opportunity for Chester’s residents and visitors to experience the culture of Thailand.
Activities will take place on the Town Hall Square from 11.30am-2.30pm including traditional Thai music, dance, costume and an opportunity to taste delicious Thai food.
The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year’s Day from April 13-16 and coincides with the new year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia.
The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the pouring of water. The celebrations are traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends, neighbours, and monks.
People celebrating Songkran as a Buddhist festival may also go to a Buddhist Monastery and provide food for monks and pour water over Buddha images, mixed with a Thai fragrance to bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year.
Cllr Razia Daniels, said: “This special event on Chester’s Town Hall Square gives people the opportunity to immerse themselves in Thai culture and I am sure will be extremely interesting.
“Please join us for Songkran Day on Saturday to meet Thai people, see colourful costumes and enjoy the dancing and food on offer.”
As well as celebrating Songkran and Thai culture the organisers will be raising money for The Mulberry Centre and the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.
Money will also be raised to help repair the Worachet Temple in the Ayutthaya district of Thailand which suffered water damage in the recent floods.
