The French Embassy in Thailand is utilizing its upcoming Galleries’ Nights festival to advance gender equality in the arts, celebrate 340 years of Franco-Thai diplomatic ties, and honor the legacy of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother.
The 2025 iteration of the annual contemporary art event will place a special emphasis on women artists. This focus is supported by France’s Archives of Women Artists, Research & Exhibitions (AWARE).
Participating galleries showcasing works by female artists will be identified with special symbols.
The initiative will culminate in the launch of “The Flow of History: Southeast Asian Women Artists” project. This launch is scheduled during the festival’s closing ceremony in Bangkok.
The “Flow of History” project, a collaboration between AWARE and Asia Art Archive, is a key component of France’s cultural diplomacy. It aims to empower women within the contemporary art industry.
Additionally, the festival aligns with the 340th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and France.
The event’s format has been adapted to express condolences for Queen Sirikit, reflecting her historical role in promoting Thai traditional arts and local artists internationally. This year’s theme, “Blending Tradition and Modernity,” also honors her contributions.
Galleries’ Nights 2025 will feature over 200 artists presenting works across more than 80 galleries.
The festival begins in Chiang Mai on November 14-15, and then moves to Bangkok from November 21-22.
The closing ceremony will take place on November 23 in Bangkok at the Jim Thompson House Art Center. It will include a special performance by renowned Thai contemporary dancer and choreographer Jitti Chompee, followed by a reception hosted by the French Embassy’s cultural and cooperation department.
Inspired by Paris’s “Nuit Blanche” festival, Galleries’ Nights was first organized by the French Embassy in 2013. Its objective is to make art accessible to the broader public.
The festival has grown significantly, drawing over 30,000 participants to more than 100 galleries in Bangkok and Chiang Mai during its 2024 edition. Organizers aim to elevate it into a national contemporary art and culture festival.
Admission to all exhibitions is free.
Attendees in Bangkok can utilize free electric tuk-tuk services provided by MuvMi across 28 routes. In Chiang Mai, public red songthaews are available for participants.
Activity maps will be distributed at participating galleries and can also be downloaded from the event’s website.