The Phnom Penh Post
Youth forum
What do you think about the death of Vann Nath, who was an artist during the Khmer Rouge regime?
What do you think about the death of Vann Nath, who was an artist during the Khmer Rouge regime?
 Chhun Phanharath. an 18-year-old sophomore at the Royal University of Phnom Penh |
“I don’t know much about Vann Nath’s background, but I know he was a talented artist. He had lived through the Pol Pot regime and survived Toul Sleng prison, so he was able to describe many terrible things through his paintings. Many of the things he painted are on view to the public at Toul Sleng prison. Many things that occurred there have not been depicted yet, so my generation will not have a chance to know more about them. Vann Nath was also an important witness at the ECCC trials.” |
 Ban Botreynisa, an 18-year-old IT student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh |
“Everyone wants to know more about the things that happened during Pol Pot’s regime. People of our generation must know about, and understand, those events in order to prevent such things happening again. With the death of Vann Nath, we have lost a witness to important events. Without him and his pictures, we will never be able to fully understand the hard times during that regime. He was one of the most important people in Cambodia, so I am really sad to hear of his death.” |
 Orm Sokheang, a 21-year-old freshman student at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) |
“Vann Nath was a living witness for the Extraordinary Chamber Court of Cambodia. With his death, we have lost important evidence of events that happened during Pol Pot’s regime. I am sorry he has died, and I am so disappointed he didn’t live until the end of the trial and be a witness to prove the suffering he and others endured during that regime.” |
 Sar Somrithika, a 19-year-old freshman student at the Institute of Foreign Language (IFL) |
“I am sorry to hear about the death of Vann Nath. His drawings played an important role in letting everyone know about the things that happened in Toul Sleng prison (S21) during the Khmer Rouge regime. Without his pictures, people of our generation would not know about the suffering and terrible events a previous generation endured during that regime.” |
 Thon Varin, a 32-year-old artist |
“As an artist, I was horrified to hear of Vann Nath’s death. He was greatly admired in Cambodia, by artists and ordinary people alike. While he was alive, he painted many pictures illustrating the activities in Toul Sleng prison. With his death, we have lost a lot of information that could have been presented as evidence in trials at the ECCC. I was so proud of Vann Nath, and I would like to offer my condolences to his family.” |
This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comments.
Show/hide comments
I thank Mr. Vann Nath for his commitment to be a witness for ECCC. Life can be taken every minute that can not be negotiated. I want to share my condolences to him and his family. I wish good new world for Mr. Vann Nath's spirit to be placed.
Batheba
on September 19, 2011
Report
vote down
vote up
Votes:
0
