PM marks 19th anniversary of Royal Ballet’s recognition by UNESCO

A Royal Ballet performance at the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province in 2018. Hong Menea

Prime Minister Hun Sen on November 7 commemorated the 19th anniversary of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia being recognised by UNESCO.

Renowned for its graceful hand gestures and intricate costumes, this ancient royal dance was inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list on November 7 in Istanbul, Turkey.

“Let’s celebrate the 19th anniversary of the Royal Ballet being placed on UNESCO's list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which took place on November 7, 2003,” he said in a social media post.

Historically, the Cambodian Royal Ballet exclusively performed for sacred rituals and only in recent decades has it opened its performances to the general public.

Also known as Khmer Classical Dance, the Royal Ballet has been "closely associated with the Khmer court for over one thousand years".

"Performances would traditionally accompany royal ceremonies and observances such as coronations, marriages, funerals or Khmer holidays. This art form, which narrowly escaped annihilation in the 1970s, is cherished by many Cambodians,” reads UNESCO’s official description of the ballet.

MOST VIEWED

Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO
Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in
Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing
To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable
Ream base allegations must end, urges official
A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical
CP denied registration documents by ministry
The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do
Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings
Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument
Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit
Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former