To celebrate the 6th anniversary of the inclusion of the chapei dang veng – a traditional Cambodian two-stringed, long-necked guitar that is usually plucked – on the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a big concert event will be held on November 27 at Palelei pagoda in Chres village in Chres commune in Kampot’s Chumkiri district.

A group of seven young chapei dang veng conservationists have taken the time and energy to form the Chapei Dang Veng Foundation in June, 2021, in order to preserve and maintain the instrument’s history and place in society and expand its presence in the Kingdom widely in order to help provide an income to chapei dang veng players.

Phin Savey, one of the seven youth volunteers and one of the co-founders of the Chapei Dang Veng Foundation, described the foundation’s main principles and its plans to hold the concert as an annual event going forward.

“Firstly, the foundation will continue its mission to preserve the art of the chapei dang veng handed down to us from previous generations. We formed the foundation after seeing that the elders who are the living resources that know how to sing and play the chapei dang veng are few in number today. We also saw that the art of the chapei dang veng is not very popular in Cambodian society presently, especially with the younger generation.

Savey recalled how even at the age of 84 the chapei master Elder El Bean, also known as Kampoul Pich, from Pursat province, continued to pursue his mission to keep alive traditional chapei music and he was very happy to meet anyone from the younger generation who was interested in learning from their elders.

“Furthermore, we also want to create a platform [for youth] to participate in the preservation of the music of the chapei dang veng by opening up opportunities for young and old chapei players to showcase their abilities. When the public sees the talents and abilities of the musicians who sing and play the chapei dang veng, they will then contact them to perform at various events in their community. As for the funds received from the Chapei Dang Veng Foundation, we will distribute them according to the reality of the situation and according to the needs of the elders and other chapei musicians as well,” Savey said.

The chapei dang veng is a traditional Khmer musical instrument used for many purposes in Cambodian culture and it is closely linked to social life through the Kingdom’s customs, beliefs and religion. It is usually played in cultural ceremonies accompanied by singing with lyrics that are often informative, insightful and funny on topics such as pressing social issues, but they can also include bits of Khmer poems, folk talks or Buddhist legends according to the singer’s background and inclination.

“The third important point is that we want to compile the history of the group of people who know how to play the chapei dang veng to let the next generation know more about this instrument. For example, Prach Chhuon learned how to play chapei dang veng from the master Pen Bun and Mam Son learned it from elder Changkoam Prampy, and these names should not be forgotten.

“One of next generation of chapei dang veng players, Me Moeun, currently lives in Khnar village of Chreav commune in Siem Reap town. He first learned how to play the instrument from Professor Touch Leang and then later continued to study it with Prach Chhuon. This history of who taught who will help the next generation of Cambodians understand that the instrument is part of our heritage and spread across many generations and it may even reveal differences in technique or style according to each teacher when examined by experienced players or musicologists,” he said.

A resident of Kampot province, Savey, 31, has been in love with the chapei dang veng and studying it since 2015, which is what led him to his involvement with forming the foundation.

“The discussion about establishing the Chapei Dang Veng Foundation began in June, 2021. The first concert we held to mark the UNESCO anniversary involved a group of young people and a group of elders who all play the chapei dang veng, in addition to participation by some monks,” he said.

Savey noted that in 2021 their foundation raised nearly $2,000 and was used to support over 20 elderly chapei musicians from the provinces.

In addition to their love for the traditional chapei dang veng instrument, the seven volunteer youths continue to spend their time and energy to raise funds for the Chapei Dang Veng Foundation in order to keep their outreach efforts ongoing and to support elderly chapei players.

“For the second concert this November 27 we have just received a first donation of 600,000 riel from the head monk of the Prasat Srah Kandal Khchas pagoda in Preah Netr Preah District of Banteay Meanchey province. He will also donate to support six elder chapei dang veng artists, each of whom will receive 100,000 riel,” said Savey.

Those who wish to donate to the Chapei Dang Veng Foundation or attend their upcoming event can find out more on their Facebook page: https://bit.ly/cdv_foundation