Invitation for Second Shan cultural forum extended

General

Invitation for Second Shan cultural forum extended

Organizers of the Second International Conference on Comparative Studies on the Dai (Tai/Shan) culture in Four Rivers Valleys to be held in April next year have recently put forth an open invitation to academics and observers both far and near, according to a copy of the invitation received by S.H.A.N..

The participants, especially scholars, are encouraged to send their papers dealing with language and literature, customs and medicines, traditional way of building, making handicrafts and costumes and others to the organizers before 30 September 2004. The total fee for each attendee is $ 250 which includes $ 100 for the seminar and $ 150 for hotel, food and study trips.

The invitation also provides a tentative schedule:

The Conference will be held in Xishuangbanna Autonomous Prefecture of Dai nationality, who are akin to Shans, Laotians and Thais. Apart from studies on the Dai culture in the 4 river valleys, namely, Lancang (Mekong), Honghe (Red), Jinsha and Nu (Salween), the Conference also plans to exchange and discuss other Tai cultures in Burma's Shan State, India's Assam and Laos.

It also plans to report to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization "in order to let the world pay more attention to the exploration, preservation and development of the Dai culture" at the end of the Conference.

For further information, please consult Second Shan forum in China next year, S.H.A.N., 7 July 2004.