The CamEd Student Government (CSG) organised their 12th “Khmer Culture Festival” (KCF) last weekend. The annual event aims to raise awareness and preserve the rich, vibrant wonders of Khmer culture.
This year’s festival was held at Factory Phnom Penh, and brought together students and artists, as well as members of the wider community to experience cultural immersion over two action- packed days.
This year’s event, the first to span two days, was free to enter, although several of the signature activities, “Num Mun Sne”, “Bopha Phnom Penh” and “Komlos Cyclo”, were ticketed.
Num Mun Sne involved participants making traditional Khmer desserts, while Bopha Phnom Penh produced Khmer flower bouquets. Komlos Cyclo saw them ride traditional cyclos.
Also on display was Neary Civilai Komlos Heu Ha, featuring traditioan l clothes from the 60s, exhibition booths, an art exhibition and traditional games.
Traditional Khmer performances such as “Ploy Souy Dance”, “Lakhon Bassac”, “Apsara dance”, “Lakhon Sromol Sbek Thom” “Kun Lbokator”, and Khmer literature performances were celebrated, performed by students of CamEd Business School as well as performers from Krom Kmeng Khol, directed by Jek Sang thorn.
The event also offered vendors and artisans a chance to showcase their products and artwork, creating a vibrant marketplace that highlighted creativity, craftsmanship and local businesses.
Their 12th Khmer Culture Festival was celebrated under the concept of “The 60s”, marking a golden era in Cambodia’s history in which the country experienced extreme growth in every sector especially art, music, film, and architecture. The period’s creativity and innovation inspired the theme of this year’s event, celebrating the legacy of the remarkable decade.
CSG first organised the KCF in 2013 to celebrate Khmer New Year and promote Khmer culture to students and the younger generation. Over the years, it has been celebrated at a wide range of venues, including Chaktomuk Theatre, Chenla Theatre, Institute of Technology, Secondary School of Fine arts, and even online, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The KCF has played an important role in raising awareness of the younger generations on traditional Khmer arts, dances, ballets performances and games. It plays an important role in uniting youth from different backgrounds to support one purpose of preserving Khmer traditions.