The Indonesian embassy in Phnom Penh became a vibrant hub of cultural exchange and camaraderie last Saturday, as it played host to the ASEAN Bazaar 2024.

The April 27 event, held in collaboration with the archipelago nation’s fellow ASEAN member states, showcased the finest of cultural diversity and unity from across the region.

Indonesian ambassador Santo Darmosurmarto opened the event and shared his enthusiasm for the collective initiative.

“This event was born out of our common interest to strengthen the bonds among the ASEAN family members in Phnom Penh and to further build our togetherness, especially among the staff and families of ASEAN missions in Phnom Penh, as well as the local authorities here in Cambodia,” he said.

He highlighted the importance of cultural sharing through food, song, and dance, noting that this year also marks the 65th anniversary of Indonesia's diplomatic relations with Cambodia.

Presiding over the event, Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea emphasised the role of the bazaar.

“Today’s event is a fitting testament to our commitment to unity and diversity," he remarked.

Chenda Sophea pointed out the linguistic connections among ASEAN countries, such as the similar words for “market” in Malay, Indonesian, and Cambodian, illustrating the interconnectedness of the region.

He said Malay (spoken in Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore) and Indonesian are mutually intelligible to a large extent, sharing many common words such as "pasar" (market). In Khmer, it’s pronounced Phsar.

The ASEAN Bazaar pop-up market bustled with vibrant stalls from each member country, creating a colourful mosaic of regional flavours and crafts.

Visitors wandered among booths offering everything from spicy Thai street food and aromatic Indonesian coffee to Cambodian delicacies, intricate Filipino handcrafts and Malaysian batik textiles.

Interspersed with commerce, cultural performances added a dynamic flair, featuring traditional dances and music that echoed the diverse heritage of the ASEAN nations, making the market not just a shopping experience but a lively celebration of Southeast Asian culture.

Chenda Sophea also reflected on Cambodia's 25 years in ASEAN, acknowledging the Kingdom’s journey since the end of three decades of civil war.

“Unity in diversity is key to the ASEAN identity,” he said.

He recalled the 2011 ASEAN Summit in Bali, where regional leaders committed to protecting and promoting cultural diversity, enhancing mutual understanding, and acknowledging the importance of cultural creativity for the viability of ASEAN products and craftsmanship.

Performance highlights at the all-day event included a Jejer Gandrung Dance from Indonesia and traditional Thai dances. In addition, the Myanmar embassy organised a display of Thu Nge Taw dancers, while traditional instrumental folk music from the Philippines was also on display.

The Malaysian embassy organised a traditional garment evolution fashion show, with their Vietnamese counterparts showcasing the Ao Dai dress.

Chenda Sophea expressed his pride in the Cambodian products that were on offer, particularly a variety of essential oils.

He highlighted the diverse and rich offerings from the ten ASEAN member countries.

After visiting several stalls, he shared his observations with reporters.

“Brunei's cakes, I guess, are just like our Khmer cakes because they look very similar. At the Myanmar booth, their food looks like our red soup noodles. But each country has its own unique identity,” he said.

He also mentioned a recent celebration organised by Cambodian ambassadors in Europe, Australia, South Korea, and Japan, which focused on promoting Cambodian culture, food, and tourism during the traditional Khmer New Year.

“Celebrating the New Year is an opportunity for the Cambodian community in any country to come together at least once a year,” he said.

“I am continuing the work of my predecessor, Prak Sokhon. In addition to promoting all forms of art, including dance and music, we are also promoting the food sector, such as by compiling the book 'Taste of Angkor’, which has been voted best Asian cookbook several times,” he added.

Additionally, he shared Cambodia’s plans to host its first international tennis event in July, further showcasing the Kingdom to potential guests.