Cambodia kickstarts activities to welcome the Angkor Sangkran festival. (Photo: mekongtourism.org)Phnom Penh (VNA) – A marathon and cycling tournamentwas held in Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap province in northwestern Cambodia, on April 8-9 to welcome the Angkor Sangkran festival which will be celebratedduring the country’s upcoming traditional New Year – Chol Chnam Thmay 2023.
Speaking at theopening ceremony, President of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) Hun Many said the event aims at welcoming the 32 SoutheastAsian Games (SEA Games 32) and the ASEAN Para Games 12 while honouring thecountry’s rich and diverse art and cultural characteristics.
Cao Manh Duc, General Director of Viettel Cambodia(Metfone) - the festival’s co-organiser - said the event is expected to inspireand encourage Cambodian people to take part in sports as well as create aplayground for athletes to prepare for the biggest regional games whichCambodia will be the host for the first time.
This year’s Angkor Sangkran event will feature anexhibition of Cambodian arts in many forms and performances that reflecttraditional Khmer culture. The organisers expect that local and internationaltourists will visit Siem Reap for the holiday in increased numbers overprevious years.
The APSARA National Authority (ANA) – a body taskedwith managing the Angkor Archaeological Park – is in the process of organisinga “cultural heritage village” to the north of the Hal Bridge on the banks ofthe moat in front of Angkor Wat as part of this year’s holiday celebrations.
The public, local and international tourists willlearn more about the country’s tangible heritage, such as the techniques formaintaining and repairing the temples and there will also be demonstrations ofintangible heritage on how traditional manuscripts are created.
There will also be pottery, traditional tattoos, aconcert by the Tbeng villagers, Khmer folk games as well as an exhibitioncelebrating the ANA’s achievements of the past 30 years in the conservation andsustainable development that has taken place within the Angkor park.
This year’scelebrations are organised under the theme “Dreams and Hopes” and are scheduledto take place from April 14-16./.
