Traditional boat racers during the 2019 Water Festival in Phnom Penh. Hong Menea
This year’s Water Festival will return to the Tonle Sap River in front of the capital’s Royal Palace. After a hiatus last year, it has been scheduled for three days, from November 26-27.
“The event is going ahead to give the opportunity for people to join in the fun and celebration of the traditional Khmer festival that has existed since ancient times. This year’s festival will include the lighting of the lantern barges, fireworks, classical music concerts and three-nights of art performances,” said the guidelines set out by the National Committee for National and International Festivals, which were signed by Minister of the Royal Palace Kong Sam Ol, chairman of the committee.
The guidelines added that as part of the celebrations of the traditional festival – and the economic development of the Kingdom – all government institutions will be decorated, to mark the occasion.
“National flags, religious flags, royal flags, banners, slogans, billboards and colored lights should be erected at all ministries, capital/provincial administrations, departments, schools, pagodas and public parks. We also encourage the private sector and the general public to take part by decorating their homes and workplaces to celebrate the 2023 Water Festival,” said Sam Ol.
The committee also announced that registration for boats and crews that wish to enter the traditional boat racing events will close on November 1. It recommended that rowers train as much as possible to ensure they are both safe and competitive.
State lantern barges – always a highlight of the festivities – are so far confirmed as representing the Royal Palace, Senate, National Assembly, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration.
“Each of the institutions that intends to enter a lantern barge at the event should send their proposed budget and provide an outline, lantern pictures, and explanation for their designs to the General Secretariat of the festival committee for approval before October 20,” said Sam Ol.
He added that all participants should be as creative as possible and use the occasion to promote their achievements and those of the government.
“The festival committee is confident that all of the institutions that take part in this year’s event will do so in the spirit of providing a festive atmosphere,” he continued.
Last year’s Phnom Penh festival was suspended due to the Kingdom’s hosting of the 40th and 41st ASEAM Summits and related meetings. Provincial celebrations were encouraged and proved to be very popular with the public.
