This year’s edition of the annual Japan-Cambodia Kizuna Festival is currently underway at the Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center (CJCC). This year’s festivities are themed “Harmony in Diversity”.

The February 13 to 16 event features a vast array of activities, ranging from traditional and contemporary cultural performances from both Japan and Cambodia to experience-sharing sessions and knowledge exchanges in cultural and technological fields.

Some of the highlights include Japanese cuisine exhibitions, art displays, calligraphy workshops, martial arts demonstrations and traditional performances, including a performance of Lakhon Khol Wat Svay Andet, a traditional Khmer masked dance which was listed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.

This year marks the 14th edition of the festival, which focuses on emphasising cultural harmony between the two nations.

The event serves as a platform for cultural exchange, mutual understanding and strengthening the friendship between Japan and Cambodia.

“Japanese-Cambodian cooperation, which was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023, is not only focused on politics and economics but also on strengthening cultural ties, as can be seen by this festival,” said Japanese ambassador to Cambodia, Ueno Atsushi.

Pen Mony Makara, secretary of state at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, also expressed his belief that the festival is a testament to the deep and enduring friendship between Cambodia and Japan, built on mutual respect and trust.