1st week: July 1 – 15 World of Wax and Candles in Thailand
	2nd week: July 6 – 12 A Showcase of Buddhism and Arts
	3rd week: July 13 – 19 Artisans Assembly
	4th week: July 20 – 26 International Dances: In Harmony
	5th week: July 27 – 31 Honouring The Gurus

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).

As Ubon Ratchathani 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. The candle festival is unique to Ubon Ratchathani province and the customs and traditions related to this Buddhist festival have been diligently preserved by local communities.

Making Merit
Thai Buddhists engage in merit-making as an expression of respect and gratitude by making offerings to Lord Buddha, venerable monks, past and present kings, and to parents, grandparents and their ancestors.

Making merit relates strongly to the concept of rebirth. The accumulation of merit, or bun, is believed to exert a powerful influence on one's future life and, indeed, rebirths.

According to Buddhist teachings, all actions performed in our daily lives affect our field of merit, but none more so than the support of Buddhism itself. When one offers material support to a Buddhist monk — be it alms in the form of food or donations, or voluntary work — one is helping to assure that Buddhist teachings live on. This accumulates merit not only for the giver by helping sustain Buddhism. It also provides the opportunity for future generations to make and accumulate merit. In addition to the monk's morning alms round, the presentation of the Lenten candles is also a merit-making act.

		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.

HIGHLIGHTS

June 15 – July 6, 2009
Visits to the Candle-Crafting Communities of Ubon Ratchathani
June 15 – July 6/ 10.00 a.m. onwards
The candle-crafting communities of Ubon Ratchathani are noted for their hand-crafted traditional beeswax candles. Gain insight into this ancient artistic tradition and the local culture by visiting the communities and watch artisans at work making ornately sculpted Lenten candles.

The ten selected candle crafting communities are Wat Burapha, Wat Sri Pra Du, Wat Thung Sri Mueang, Wat Maha Wanaram (also known as Wat Pa Yai), Wat Tha Wang Hin, Wat Phra That Nong Bua, Wat Nong Pla Paak, Wat Chaimongkon, Wat Suthatnaram and the Baan Kham Phun community and weaving village.

July 1: 19.00 hrs
4th International Wax Sculpture 2009
Grand Opening Ceremony
In front of Wat Sri Ubonratanaram temple on Uparat Road

July 1 – 7: 10.00 – 20.00 hrs
The Traditional Art of Candle-crafting:
Keeping Alive Local Culture and An Ancient Artistic Tradition
At the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum

July 6 – 7
The display of ornately-carved Buddhist Lent candles around Thung Sri Mueang Park

July 7: 19.00 – 21.00 hrs
Wien Tien Candlelight Ritual on Asalaha Bucha Day
At the temples of Wat Sri Ubonratanaram, Wat Suthatnaram, Wat Maha Wanaram (also known as Wat Pa Yai), Wat Phra That Nong Bua, and Wat Thung Sri Mueang

July 7 – 8
Candle Procession By Night and Light-and-Sound Presentation
In front of Wat Sri Ubonratanaram temple on Uparat Road

July 8: 08.30 – 12.00 hrs
The Buddhist Lenten Candle Procession
Along Uparat Road and Chayangkun Road

July 13 - 31
The 4th International Wax Sculpture Exhibition 2009
An exhibition of the ten masterpieces created by the international participants from China, Japan, Malaysia, Chile, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Belarus, and Thailand.
At the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum in Ubon Ratchathani province

July 13 – 19: 10.00 – 18.00
The Ubon Ratchathani Arts Exhibition
Presentations of I-San folk art and culture and artistic works by the artisans and craftsmen from the various regions of I-San are showcased at the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum

July 20 – 26: At 14.00 and 19.00 hrs
International Dances: In Harmony
An international showcase of the performing arts featuring performances presented by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Thailand
At the Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University Arts and Cultures Center theatre

1 st Week: JULY 1 – 15	WORLD OF WAX AND CANDLES IN THAILAND
June 15 – July 6 10.00 a.m. onwards	Visits to the Ten Candle-Crafting Communities of Ubon Ratchathani Wat Burapha community Wat Sri Pra Du community Wat Thung Sri Mueang community Wat Maha Wanaram community (Wat Pa Yai) Wat Tha Wang Hin Wat Phra That Nong Bua community Wat Nong Pla Paak community Wat Chaimongkon community Wat Suthatnaram community Baan Kham Phun community and weaving village
June 15 – July 31 From 07.00 a.m. onwards	Photographic exhibition of the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival At Ubon Ratchathani Airport
June 23 – July 7 From 10.00 a.m. onwards	Witness the art of candle-sculpting by the international participants from China, Japan, Malaysia, Chile, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Belarus, and Mr Tawatchai Homthong from Ubon Ratchathani province representing Thailand, the host country.
July 8 – 31 From 10.00 a.m. onwards	An exhibition of the sculpted wax candles At the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum
JULY 1 19.00 – 20.00	4th INTERNATIONAL WAX SCULPTURE GRAND OPENING CEREMONY In front of Wat Sri Ubonratanaram temple on Uparat Road
July 1 – 7 10.00 – 20.00	The Traditional Art of Candle-crafting: Keeping Alive Local Culture and An Ancient Artistic Tradition At the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum
July 1 – 8 10.00 – 20.00	OTOP — One Tambon One Product live demonstrations and sales of OTOP village products and merchandise from the various sub-districts (tambon) of Ubon Ratchathani province Food Festival of the Four Regions of Thailand At Sala Klaang — the Ubon Ratchathani provincial centre
July 1 – 8 10.00 – 20.00	Art Camp At the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum
July 1 – 8	“Dhamma in the Candle Festival” Dhamma worship at Baan Suan Ubon in the district of Warin Chamrap
July 1 – 15 13.30 – 17.00	Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival Photo Contest 2009 For those interested in taking part in the photo contest, please register at the Information Counter at the Centre of Art and Culture at Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University
July 1 – 31 10.00 – 21.00	Cultural presentations Live demonstrations and sales of food At the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum
July 2 – 8 09.00 – 19.00	A live demonstration of candle-crafting and sculpting At the Sala Chaturamuk at Thung Sri Mueang
July 3 – 5 16.00 – 19.00	Klong Yao (Traditional Long Drum) Contest At Sala Klang Changwat, Ubon Ratchathani provincial centre
JULY 4
14.00 – 18.00	Bicycle Tour of the Candle-Crafting Communities Wat Chaimongkon community Wat Phra That Nong Bua community Wat Thung Sri Mueang community and Ubon Ratchathani National Museum
15.30 – 17.00	Water-Borne Procession of the Royal Candle At Sala Klaang, Wat Luang temple, Wat Supatnaram Voraviharn, Thung Sri Mueang
18.00 – 19.00	A Bai Sri blessing ritual is performed to bless the royal candle At Sala Chaturamuk, Thung Sri Mueang
19.00 – 20.30	Dhamma worship
19.00 – 21.00	Marching Band performance presented by 1,000 performers At Laan Tian Chalerm Phra Kiat (the Chalerm Phra Kiat plaza) at Thung Sri Mueang
July 4 – 7 13.30 – 17.00	Tour of the Candle-Crafting Communities Wat Burapha Wat Sri Pra Du Wat Thung Sri Mueang Wat Tha Wang Hin Wat Maha Wanaram (also known as Wat Pa Yai) Wat Suthatnaram Wat Chaimongkon Baan Kham Phun community and weaving village Wat Phra That Nong Bua Wat Nong Pla Paak The tours will be offered at a special price of 259 baht per trip on 28 June and from July 4 – 7.
July 5 – 6 19.30 – 21.00	Nang Champa and Anya Asoke A light-and-sound presentation At Thung Sri Mueang (Free admission)
2 nd week: JULY 6 – 12	A SHOWCASE OF BUDDHISM AND ARTS
July 6 17.00 – 23.00	Traditional candles entered into the candle-sculpting contest are displayed. Candle Contest Beauty Pageant At Kaeng Saphue in Phibun Mangsahan district (Amphoe Phibun Mangsahan)
19.00 – 24.00	Ubon Ratchathani Buddhist Lent Candle Beauty Contest At Laan Tian Chalerm Phrakiat (Chalerm Phra Kiat Candle plaza) at Thung Sri Mueang
JULY 7
08.00 – 13.00	Grand procession of the sculpted Buddhist Lent candles Roads in Phibun Mangsahan municipality (Tessaban Mueang Phibun Mangsahan)
09.00 – 17.00	Live demonstration of textile weaving, the crafting of candle wax florets, and cultural presentations At Baan Kham Phun community and weaving village in Warin Chamrap district (Amphoe Warin Chamrap) Entrance fee: 100 baht per person Proceeds will be donated to charities.
18.00 onwards	Sculpted Buddhist Lenten candles entered into the contest are placed on display along the roads that run past Ubon Ratchathani Kindergarten School.
19.00 – 21.00	Wien Tien Candlelight Ritual on Asalaha Bucha Day At the following temples Wat Sri Ubonratanaram Wat Suthatnaram Wat Maha Wanaram (also known as Wat Pa Yai) Wat Phra That Nong Bua Wat Thung Sri Mueang At dusk on Asalaha Bucha Day, worshippers participate in a Buddhist candle-lit procession around the ubosoth — the principle Buddhist chapel of the temple and ordination hall. Each clasps three incense sticks, a lit candle and lotus buds, and circles around the ubosoth in a clockwise direction, three times. Asalaha Bucha Day marks the anniversary of the day Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his first five disciples at the Deer Park in Benares more than 2500 years ago. It also marks the coming into existence of the Triple Gems, namely Lord Buddha, His Teachings, and His Disciples, and is therefore considered to be a sacred day in Buddhism. Asalaha Bucha Day falls on the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eighth lunar month (July), and precedes the Buddhist Lent, which starts on the first day of the waning moon. To observe this auspicious day, Buddhists perform merit-making tasks such as visiting temples to make offerings to the monks and to listen to sermons to purify their minds. The Buddhist precepts, or sila, are observed.
July 7 – 8	Candle Procession By Night and Light-and-Sound Presentation In front of Wat Sri Ubonratanaram temple on Uparat Road
JULY 8
08.30 – 12.00	Procession of ornately-carved Buddhist Lenten candles Along Uparat Road and Chayangkun Road
11.00 – 12.00	The offering of the Royal Candle At Wat Mahawanaram temple
18.00 – 19.00	Prize Presentation Ceremony Prizes are presented to the winners of the 4th International Wax Sculpture Contest 2009.
July 9 – 16 From 10.00 a.m. onwards	“Tam Hoop Taam Hit” At Ubon Ratchathani National Museum
July 9 – 30	The artistic masterpieces created by the winners of 1st and 2nd prize in the 4th International Wax Sculpture Contest 2009 are placed on display along the road that runs past the front of Ubon Ratchathani City Pillar Shrine, Thung Sri Mueang
3 rd week: JULY 13 – 19	ARTISANS ASSEMBLY
July 13 – 19 10.00 – 18.00	The Ubon Ratchathani Arts Exhibition Presentations of I-San folk art and culture and artistic works by the artisans and craftsmen from the various regions of I-San are showcased at the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum
July 17 – 19 10.00 – 21.00	‘Colours of I-San’ Tourism Fair At Thung Sri Mueang in Ubon Ratchathani
4th week: JULY 20 – 26	INTERNTIONAL DANCES: IN HARMONY An International Showcase of the Performing Arts
14.00 19.00	A presentation of art and culture and an international showcase of the performing arts featuring performances presented by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Thailand At the Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University Arts and Cultures Center theatre Two performances a day at 14.00 and 19.00 hrs.
July 30 17.00 – 20.00	Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival Photo Contest 2009 Prize Presentation Ceremony At the Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University Kanjanapisek Arts and Cultures Center theatre
5 th week: JULY 27 – 31 From 14.00 onwards	IN HONOUR OF THE GURUS A series of educational talks will be held at the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum. The programme will be conducted in Thai.
July 31 19.00	The 4th International Wax Sculpture Contest Closing Ceremony

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