To celebrate the 400-year relationship between Thailand and Denmark and to showcase the beautiful heritage of Thai craftsmanship, Central, the country's leading retail group, in co-operation with the Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen and the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT), are staging the "Thai Artistry: The Living Heritage" exhibition at the Illum department store in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Prince Joachim, centre, with the Chirathivat family. From left, Arcan, Prin, Busaba, Sudhitham, Yuwadee, Tos, Supatra and Sookta.
The exhibition showcases some 165 pieces of unique Thai arts and handicrafts including furniture, decorative items and ornaments designed in a luxurious modern style under the "Touch Of Nature" theme. They are all produced by Thai craftsmen from the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand.
HRH Prince Joachim of Denmark graciously presided at the opening of the exhibition. On hand to welcome the Prince were the Central management team led by Sudhitham Chirathivat, Tos Chirathivat, Prin Chirathivat, Yuwadee Chirathivat, Busaba Chirathivat and Supatra Chirathivat, together with Vimol Kidchob, Thai ambassador to Denmark; Pimpapan Chansilpa, adviser to the deputy minister of commerce; Alberto Baldan, chief executive officer of La Rinascente and Illum department store; Vittorio Radice, vice-chairman of the executive committee of la Rinascente; Jeanette Aaen, managing director of Illum; and Karun Kittisataporn, president of the executive board of SACICT.
The Prince also visited the "Two Countries Relationship" exhibition staged on the same occasion to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the royal visit of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand to Denmark in 1960.
"Central has a strong policy to support Thai products," said Sudhitham, CEO of Illum department store and the Central Group. "We always arrange exhibitions to promote Thai products in countries where Central department stores are located. 'Thai Artistry: The Living Heritage' is one good example showing our commitment to take Thai products and handicrafts onto the world stage and international markets.
"In the past, Central also co-operated with the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, in staging a unique Thai Week at the Central-owned La Rinascente department store in Milan, Italy.
"We brought high-quality lifestyle products awarded with the DEmark (Design Excellence Awards) to promote in Milan. It was very successful as Thai products had attracted many foreign buyers."
The "Thai Artistry: The Living Heritage" and the "Two Countries Relationship" exhibitions are on view at the Atrium on the 4th floor of Illum department store in Copenhagen, Denmark, until Nov 1.
HRH Prince Joachim of Denmark visiting the 'Thai Artistry: The Living Heritage' exhibition.
