On June 25th, 2023, the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago, in collaboration with Olbrich Botanical Gardens, organized the Sala Thai Festival 2023 at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, Wisconsin.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens is home to the Thai Pavilion, which was a gift from the Royal Thai Government and the Thai Chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association given to the city of Madison as a symbol of the close and cordial ties between Thailand and the United States.
On the occasion of the 190th anniversary of Thailand and the United States diplomatic relations in 2023, the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago, therefore, conducted cultural activities through the Sala Thai festival to enhance people-to-people's connection and further cooperation.
This festival provided opportunities for all ages to experience Thai cultural arts and crafts through various traditions and activities, such as making a Krathong from the banana leaves, creating a Pla-Ta-Pian (Thai-style wind mobile in the shape of a fish), making a Tung Sai Moo (Art of handmade paper cut of Northern Thailand), and Northern Thai umbrella painting.
Moreover, the festival also featured Thai music and dance performances from the Thai Cultural and Fine Arts Institute of Chicago (TCFAI), the Sunday School of Wat Dhammaram, and Thai-American Association of Milwaukee. In addition, there were special guests, Mr. Adem Tesfaye, an American musician from Madison, WI, who performed blues music, Ms. Waewdao Sirisook, an artist from Chiangmai, Thailand, who performed Lanna's traditional dance and Mr. Chamni Sripraram, a music professor at Northern Illinois University, who performed Khaen (free-reed mouth organ). During this festival, they also jointly performed to represent the collaborations between the two countries.
The Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago, would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to Olbrich Botanical Gardens, the cultural troupes and all volunteers from Chicago and nearby areas, including supporters and all participants, for joining this celebration at Sala Thai Festival.