A vibrant tribute to Cambodian culture to welcome 2025
The transition to the new year 2025 was marked by an exceptional event in Cambodia: "Celebrating Cambodia" . This festival, organized by the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) , and chaired by His Excellency Hun Many and His Excellency Sok Sabayna , brought together thousands of spectators in Phnom Penh, offering a unique spectacle mixing traditions and modernity.
A Celebration of Cambodian Identity
Celebrating Cambodia highlighted Cambodia’s cultural richness. The festival brought together artists, dancers, musicians and citizens around a program that celebrated the very essence of Cambodian identity. With parades, artistic performances and entertainment, the event highlighted the importance of culture in building unity and national pride.
A Show Between Tradition and Modernity
A highlight of the event was the dance performance led by Professor Chap Chamrouen Tola of the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh , who is also a choreographer for the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia. This performance fused traditional Khmer dance with contemporary dance, transporting the audience into a reinterpreted mythological story.
Three talented dancers, Mey Provost , Apsor Provost , and Rémi Heng , members of the artistic and cultural pole of Yuvachun France , participated in this performance. Accustomed to international stages, Mey and Apsor are also part of the Paris-based traditional Khmer dance troupe, Tep Monorom . Their performance, alongside students from the Royal University of Fine Arts, embodied the meeting between tradition and modernity, offering a breathtaking spectacle.
A Cultural and Artistic Showcase
The festivities took place in the public park opposite the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, an iconic location steeped in history and symbolism. Other highlights included:
- Costume parades highlighting traditional Cambodian outfits.
- Musical performances with local artists playing traditional and modern pieces such as Vannda , Kesor , Sambath, la Princess Jenna Norodom or Prince Muni Norodom .
- Nighttime visual show , combining luminous lanterns, giant puppets and light shows.
The event also highlighted ritual and folk dances that are an integral part of Cambodia's cultural heritage, while paving the way for contemporary artistic forms.
A Popular Success
With over 3.5 million people taking part in New Year festivities across the country, Celebrating Cambodia has emerged as a moment of national unity. The festival has not only brought Cambodians together, but also promoted Khmer culture to foreign visitors to the capital.
A Bridge Between Tradition and Future
“ Celebrating Cambodia ” illustrates Cambodia’s desire to preserve its heritage while encouraging innovation and modernity. The performance of Mey , Apsor and Rémi , among others, showed how the younger generation can revisit and reinvent ancient traditions to make them resonate with today’s world.
This event will be remembered as a vibrant tribute to Cambodian heritage and a celebration of its promising future.