The Giant Puppet Project has begun to pull strings around town to raise funds for its fourth year of operations.

“Our budget this year is around US$10,000 and we’ve already got some of that. We’re trying to raise money in the UK and US as well,” says director Stuart Cochlin. “We’re also having a raffle this year at Abacus restaurant.”

The project aims to provide a “creative platform for disadvantaged children to foster and promote expression and self-confidence through art,” says Bina Hanley, director of marketing and communication for the Giant Puppet Project. It claims to be the largest local children’s community arts project in Siem Reap.

A few weeks of workshops will lead up to the climax of The Giant Puppet Project – a parade through the streets and along the river of Siem Reap ending with a party in the park across from the Royal Residence. The parade will start in the Old Market area at 7pm on February 27.

Like years past, international puppeteers from the UK and five student artists from Phare School in Battambang will come to Siem Reap to help out with the project.