Banner and archway erected during Khmer New Year 2022 on Preah Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh. Hong Menea
The National Committee for Organising National and International Festivals has instructed all state institutions on how they should observe the traditional Khmer New Year from April 14-16.
Kong Sam Ol, Minister of the Royal Palace and chairman of the committee, said in an April 30 letter that all institutions should display pictures of the King, the late King Father and the Queen Mother. They should also decorate with ribbons, coloured lighting and the flags representing the nation, religion and the King.
“Each year, Cambodian people, both inside and outside the country, always celebrate the traditional New Year with happiness and the spirit of solidarity,” he said.
Sam Ol also stated that all Khmer New Year celebrations must follow the precautionary measures as prescribed by the Ministry of Health to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
All capital-provincial administration facilities are instructed to be decorated within the same manner as national institutions. All schools and pagodas should follow the same guidelines.
In addition, members of the public are instructed to display the national flag outside their homes.
“Factories, enterprises, private schools and resorts should do the same, in order to celebrate the occasion,” said the committee.
It also recommended that authorities pay close attention to maintaining public safety and social order, facilitating the management of traffic, particularly in entertainment centres and resorts, to make certain that domestic and international visitors enjoy the occasion.
The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of National Defence must also instruct their subordinate units to cooperate in maintaining security, social order, traffic flow, and public safety before and after the New Year.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the working group of Siem Reap’s Angkor Sangkran event – to be held this year with the theme “My Village Programme” – is closely monitoring the planning of this year’s 10th anniversary event.
Many giant realistic sculptures have been erected, and a wide-ranging schedule of performances has been planned.
This year’s entertainment will include ancient folk art forms, such as traditional dance performances, chapei dang veng, lakhon khol and yike, along with contemporary music performances, circus acts, and many popular games.
