Pich Chanmony, the wife of Prime Minister Hun Manet, urges the public to visit the “hol pidan” exhibition at the National Museum of Cambodia, highlighting the importance of participating in the preservation of Khmer tradition and culture. 

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is hosting the showing from March 21 until June 21.

Chanmony’s call came during her visit to the “Hol Pidan, Development and Challenges” display on March 23. 

“Please visit the exhibition ... We help preserve our tradition and culture together,” she stated in a social media post.

The culture ministry noted that hol pidan, a Cambodian silk weaving technique, is distinct from other hols (a type of traditional Khmer dress) as it features depictions of Buddhist stories with unique embroideries and styles. 

It said the exhibition aims to inform the public about the museum’s hol pidan collection and convey weavers’ concerns about the potential loss of the art form. It also reflects the changing needs for hol pidan in Cambodian society and the current state of its production.

According to the ministry, the show is the fourth of its kind, with previous ones held in 2010, 2012 and 2016. For this year’s exhibition, a working group at the museum has selected 17 hol pidans. The event also commemorates the 104th anniversary of the museum’s founding.

Culture minister Phoeurng Sackona inaugurated the exhibition on March 21, announcing that the ministry had trained 300 youths in hol pidan skills in the first phase of its initiative, covering Phnom Penh and seven provinces. She said the training encompasses 12 skills, including weaving.

Through the museum, the ministry has called for continued donations and collections of silks from national and international donors.

Chhort Bunthang, Cultural Relations, Tourism and Education research officer at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, voiced his support for Chanmony’s appeal on March 24. 

He believes it is crucial for motivating youth and Cambodian people to uphold their culture, traditions and customs. 

“The call by the wife of the nation’s leader is exemplary, but not exclusive to her; other leaders should also encourage cultural preservation, as it is the responsibility of all Cambodians. One or two leaders alone cannot maintain our culture and traditions; it requires participation from everyone. We must not commit to just cultural preservation but to all tasks,” he emphasised.