A performance marking the 22nd Cultural Day in Phnom Penh last year. SPM
The government announced the organisation of the 23rd National Cultural Day to be held on March 3 under the same banner as last year, Youth for National Culture. Some major events relating to the day were cancelled, however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A circular signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen described the annual festival as an occasion when the country celebrates the memory and merits of its forebearers who left an abundant and precious cultural inheritance for future generations.
The celebration also seeks to instil in the public pride in the nation’s culture and traditions, particularly among the youth. The youth are obligated to participate in sustainably preserving and protecting national cultural wealth and heritage and the multiculturalism of communities of indigenous people.
“Culture is the soul, national identity and cement for connecting relations from one person to another, from one community to another, from one country to another.
“It is a means to bring about solidarity, peace and harmony for the whole nation in line with the slogan ‘Cambodia is a Kingdom of culture’, and will maintain the same theme as last year,” the circular said.
Hun Sen said in the letter that in order for the celebration to take place successfully in the context of Covid-19, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Art must coordinate with national and local authorities as well as international organisations and the private sector.
“The public and all state and private enterprises are encouraged to raise flags and banners in the streets and on their buildings and houses from March 1-9. Those who participate in the National Cultural Day event should wear traditional clothes,” he said.
Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts spokesman Long Ponnasirivath told The Post on February 9 that some cultural day events highlighting Khmer culture will proceed while others had been suspended amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
“Every year during the youth festival, high school and university students can compete in showcasing their learning. They can win awards on cultural day from events such as question and answer contests. Out of caution, however, we have suspended these events first,” he said.
Ponnasirivath also noted that Cambodian youth had become more invested in traditional cultural values and historical achievements because they had participated in celebrating them, and he expects that the festival will continue to raise awareness and engagement among future generations.
