SEACHA at COP28: “Harmony of Cultures: Asian Arts and Melodies”
Art and music are the crucial means of communications, especially for telling compassionate stories, calling for action, and changing people’s mindsets. In this session, we invite two artists on stage. A Temuan artist from Malaysia will exhibit his artwork communicating Indigenous cultural heritage and reflecting the unseparated connection between man and nature in their culture. Alongside him, a Karen academic and musician from Thailand will perform the Karen traditional harp and sing original compositions telling the stories of the Karen people, their beliefs, and their stewardship of forest and natural resources. Besides the exhibition and performance, we will interview them about their perspectives on climate change and culture, the impact of art and culture as a means to communicate the climate and heritage, and their expectations from the audience and other stakeholders. This will be a rare experience and unique within COP28’s events.
Speaker
Dr. Suwichan Phattanapraiwan
Suwichan (Chi) Phattanaphraiwan was born in the mountains of Chiang Mai, and is a renowned Pgaz k’Nyau (Karen) songwriter, singer, poet, author, activist, and Assistant Professor of Geo-Cultural Management at Srinakharinwirot University. In his work, Chi encourages local Pgaz K’ Nyau to strive for self-reliance, and to conserve natural resources by balancing utilization and sustainability. He is Vice President of the Foundation for Culture and Environment, Southeast Asian chapter (FCESA), co-founder of the Karen Community Eco Museum in Tak Province. co-founder of Asian Ethnic Creative Foundation, and involved in the Karen Network for Culture and the Environment.
Mr. Shahar Koyok
Shahar Koyok also known as Shaq Koyok, is a contemporary artist of the indigenous Temuan tribe of Selangor. Many of his works reflect the early trauma of encroachment on the jungle around his village by land developers. This personal history has also fueled his passion to fight for the land rights of his people. He explores many media of art in his work, from contemporary painting to installation art.
Moderator
Dr. Catrini Pratihari Kubontubuh
Dr. Catrini Partihari Kubontubuh received her bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Institut Teknologi Bandung, her master’s degree from Department of Architecture of KU Leuven, Belgium, and doctoral degree from School of Architecture, Planning and Policy Development from ITB. Dr. Catrini is currently the Chairperson of The Indonesian Heritage Trust based in Jakarta and Chairperson of Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance based in Bangkok. She was acknowledged as The Climate Reality Leader 2020 after her accomplishment in The Climate Reality Leadership Project Global Training 2020 led by Al Gore.
Watch “Harmony of Cultures: Asian Arts and Melodies” on the Thailand Pavilion’s Facebook Live recording, starting at minute 5:40:00.
