MANILA, Philippines - Celebrating the Source – Water Festivities of Southeast Asia is the newest ASEAN publication focusing on the cultural celebrations of the Southeast Asian countries revolving around rivers and water as the source of physical and spiritual life.
This special publication, produced by ArtPostAsia Books, is the latest regional project of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI), transcending national boundaries through a collaborative effort across the ten countries of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Tackling four major themes of water, the book begins with water in the natural environment and progresses as part of a seasonal cycle (life and climate) affecting religious and spiritual practices, to water being the center of spectacle and mega sporting events, as well as contemporary environment concerns in the ASEAN countries today.
It discusses beloved Water Festivals of the region as well as significantly unique water rituals and observances within the ASEAN communities. Through compelling images and insightful texts, Celebrating the Source brings together for the first time, rarely published material and photographs from scholars, photographers, and cultural advisors working under the aegis of ASEAN and country cultural agencies.
The book is available in leading bookstores. For inquiries, e-mail info@artpostasia.com.