The Cultural Season is the perfect platform for new local artists to showcase their talent, preserve endangered traditional art forms, and enrich the lives of artists. It provides an opportunity for growth and builds human resources within the art sector. We are committed to supporting and empowering local artists, ensuring the preservation and promotion of Cambodia’s vibrant cultural heritage.“_THON Seyma
We are happy to share with you the latest update from Cambodian Living Arts (CLA). Our annual Cultural Season has been a success since its inception in 2018, captivating audiences with a diverse range of performances, workshops, exhibitions, and talks. We are pleased to announce that for the second time, this year’s Cultural Season extended its reach beyond Phnom Penh, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Community Engagement & Outreach program coordinator and provincial cultural tour manager, Thorn Seyma.
Following a successful run in February and March, Seyma went on a journey leading our tour to four different provinces. We were visiting 12 unique communities in Kompong Thom, Preah Vihear, Kampong Chhnang, and Pailin provinces. It was a good opportunity to connect with diverse audiences and bring the magic of our Cultural Season to new regions.
This year, CLA’s Cultural Season had a theme called “Your Kind, Our Kind.” The Curators wanted to explore how being unique and fitting into society can influence how people express themselves and their creativity. Our goal was to inspire creativity, encourage people to express themselves, and help everyone appreciate the arts more. Seyma played a crucial role as a leader, making sure the tour went well. Thanks to the team’s hard work, we reached a bigger audience and touched the lives of many more people.
Seyma shared that she feels that the Cultural Season is the perfect platform for new local artists to showcase their talent, preserve endangered traditional art forms, and enrich the lives of artists. It provides an opportunity for growth and builds human resources within the art sector. We are committed to supporting and empowering local artists, ensuring the preservation and promotion of Cambodia’s vibrant cultural heritage.
Memorable Moments of the Tour
Throughout the tour, we encountered various challenges, including unpredictable weather and limited resources in setting up stages and equipment. The combination of both challenges could result in some dramatic and unexpected situations, explained Seyma. However, with determination and resourcefulness, we persevered and made each performance a memorable experience.
“There was one time where there was one performer in our contemporary dance,” she recalled. “In this piece (the performer) had to jump a lot as a monkey character, and we could see the stage was rocking and shaking.” The crew was worried that the stage had become unstable and so they rushed under the stage to hold it up together while the artists continued.
Seyma further noted, “We learned valuable lessons in stage setup and community outreach, understanding the importance of connecting with audiences who appreciate and value our performances.”
The communities loved the performances. Traditional and contemporary shows touched their hearts, and they gave us immediate feedback. Seyma recalls one powerful moment during the new play, “My Choice,” where a member of the audience, reacting to a strong scene, exclaimed, “Oh, she’s pregnant!” It showed the impact our stories had on the audience, who actively participated in the performance.
The spoken theatre, written by Pov Nheata and directed by Pumtheara Chenda, tells the story of Rada, a strong and independent woman. Rada is 27 years old and is happy with her life as it is. She doesn’t want to start a family, which causes many arguments with her worried single mother, who wants her to settle down. In the end, Rada has to make an important choice about what she wants for her own future.
According to Seyma, the performance reflects the realities of our society today. It holds significant value not only for the audience but also for the performers themselves. The performances and programs offer important insights and benefits to all involved, creating a meaningful experience for everyone.
Great Experiences
For the performers, many of whom had never experienced such close engagement with communities before, it was a nerve-wracking yet exciting experience. Seyma observed their journey, noting how they were initially nervous but as they performed, they saw the audience’s enthusiasm and engagement. The communities made them feel relaxed and encouraged, as if they were part of the show. She was thankful to see how the performances transformed both the performers and the audience.
As we reflect on this journey, we are reminded of the importance of preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage. Through our performances, we not only promote traditional arts but also encourage contemporary expressions of creativity. Seyma highlights, “Our Cultural Season tour provides a significant opportunity for communities to witness new arts and the unique creativity of our performers.”
We extend our gratitude to the communities, organizations, and leaders in the provinces we visited. Their support and collaboration were integral to the tour. Together, we have created a stronger bond, nurturing a sense of pride and unity in our shared cultural heritage.
At CLA, our commitment to learning and growth remains unwavering. We continue to highlight the stories shared by our performers, which give us a better understanding of our diverse and vibrant culture. Seyma acknowledges that throughout the performances, she realized that there is still so much to learn from the stories and experiences shared on stage. She would love to continue to uncover part of our cultural past and shed light on the lives of our people in the communities we visit.
One of the highlights of our tour was the reception we received in Kampong Thom and Pailin provinces. Seyma expresses their joy, saying that the audience in these provinces had not witnessed such a big live performance in a long time. The audience were filled with nostalgia and saw the opportunity to relive the memories of the past, before the era of Pol Pot. It reaffirms the significance of promoting and advertising our performances to reach individuals who want these cultural experiences.
CLA’s Cultural Season is more than just a series of performances and workshops; it is a celebration of our identity and a testament to the resilience of our culture. Together, we strive to empower artists, bridge generations, and promote cross-cultural understanding. We firmly believe that the arts have the power to shape a brighter future for Cambodia and beyond.
We look forward to sharing more stories, experiences, and performances with you in the coming weeks and months. With your continued support, we will continue to create transformative cultural experiences that enrich lives, preserve traditions, and ignite the spirit of creativity.
Written by Sotheavy NOU
Let’s hear directly from Seyma and Arn Chorn-Pond.
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