The government is to mark the 24th National Culture Day – which falls on March 3 – under the theme “Youth for the National Culture” in order to encourage the whole population, especially the youth, to participate more in the preservation and protection of national cultural heritage.
The day is an important opportunity for the Cambodian people to commemorate the lives of their ancestors who sacrificed their physical and mental strength, and even their lives, to create, preserve and protect the precious cultural wealth for their descendants, Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a February 21 circular.
He said the day was a valuable opportunity to instil the spirit of love for the nation and its culture and traditions in all Cambodians. This day should teach pride in their unique national identity, especially among the young, who are tasked with preserving and upholding national values and culture.
The circular said the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts must cooperate widely with other ministries – and all institutions or organisations that operate in the cultural field – to jointly promote the national culture, both on-site and on social media.
“All municipal and provincial culture departments should mark this day in person and on social media. Banners and posters should be erected in public places and other important locations,” Hun Sen said.
He added that in addition, the Ministry of Information has to organise a programme to mark the day through state and private media, including radio, television, newspapers, magazines and other publications.
The premier added that the promotion of culture was intended to inspire the public to understand and participate more actively in upholding the values and development of national culture, and the preservation of social morality and harmony, without discrimination on the basis of politics, religion or colour.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the culture ministry also needs to promote national culture and the theme of the day to students, Hun Sen said, adding that the Ministry of Tourism must also promote the theme to domestic and international visitors.
“The Ministry of Cults and Religions must prepare monks and religious figures of all denominations to prepare to promote the national culture in pagodas, meditation centres, churches and other shrines – in compliance with the new normal in the context of Covid-19,” he said.
In addition, the Apsara National Authority, the National Authority for Preah Vihear, and the Sambor Prei Kuk National Authority would promote their key achievements relating to conservation and the sustainable development of World Heritage sites to mark the National Cultural Day.
