Japanese ambassador Ueno Atsushi plays the tro, a traditional Khmer fiddle. The Japanese embassy gifted almost $40,000 worth of traditional instruments to the Secondary School of Fine Arts on December 10. Secondary School of Fine Arts
The Japanese embassy in Cambodia donated several traditional Khmer musical instruments to the Secondary School of Fine Arts on December 10, as part of the KUSANONE Grassroots Grant Aid Programme.
The handover ceremony was presided over by Japanese ambassador Ueno Atsushi and Hab Touch, secretary of state at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and attended by 400 students and members of the school’s faculty.
“These traditional musical instruments are a contribution from the Japanese people and government under the grassroots grant aid program for cultural projects. Since 1991, in addition to large-scale loans and other grant aid projects, the Japanese government has implemented KUSANONE projects across Cambodia to directly assist local authorities and NGOs in carrying out their initiatives,” explained the ambassador.
The donation was made in response to a request from the Secondary School of Fine Arts. The Japanese government provided $38,750 to supply the traditional instruments, due to a critical shortage of resources for the students. The instruments included Tro and Roneat.
“Now, with an increased number of instruments, I hope that the students of the Secondary School of Fine Arts can practice more frequently to enhance their technical skills. I also hope these instruments will not only be used for educational purposes but will also feature in traditional performances and major events in the future,” said Ueno.
“Additionally, I believe this donation will contribute to the preservation of Cambodia’s ancient cultural heritage, enriching our lives with beauty and tradition,” he added.
He explained that KUSANONE literally translates as “grassroots” in Japanese.
Over the past 34 years, the Japanese embassy has supported approximately 700 projects through the grant programme, of which 10 have focused on cultural and sports initiatives.
The newly donated instruments aim to strengthen the educational and cultural efforts of the school, fostering a deeper appreciation for Cambodia’s traditional arts while enabling students to take pride in their heritage.
