After 25 years of preserving, reviving, and developing Cambodian arts, Cambodian Living Arts has received royal recognition from the King, serving as inspiration for the organisation to open a new chapter in the Kingdom’s creative sector.
Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) has expressed its delight after receiving the prestigious Royal Recognition during the Royal Audience with King Norodom Sihamoni to mark 25 years of the organisation’s devotion to the arts.
The Royal Recognition was awarded to CLA’s living masters and individuals who have significantly contributed through their involvement in CLA’s past and continued success. The following Cambodian Recognitions of honour have been conveyed:
Cambodian citizens have conferred the Royal Order of Monisaraphon at the Knight Grand Cross level. This is the highest award conferred to Cambodian Citizens. It is awarded for the accomplishment and outstanding support in the fields of education, arts, science, literacy, and social work.
Non-Cambodian citizens were conferred the Royal Order of Sahametrei at the Grand Cross level. This is the highest award conferred primarily on foreigners who have rendered distinguished services to the King and the people of Cambodia.
The recognition from His Majesty acknowledges CLA’s years of effort and contribution to the arts sector. This honour not only underlines the organisation’s impact on preserving, reviving, and promoting Cambodian arts but also reinforces its credibility to those who have been associated with CLA over the past 25 years.
Royal Recognition: A New Chapter
On May 11th, 2024, CLA received the royal recognition from the King at the Royal Palace, marking a new chapter for the cherished art forms, ensuring they are preserved and continue to flourish for another decade.
Arn Chorn-Pond, founder of CLA, said this year is meaningful for the organisation and that the success of receiving the accolade will inspire the organisation to make its next move.
Being able to receive the award from His Majesty, the King, is such a great honour for artists and master artists who have contributed significantly in preserving culture and passing on knowledge from generation to generation to understand the power of arts.
“For me, the royal recognition from His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath is very meaningful and this is the greatest gift of our life as artists, and the whole organisation,” Chorn-Pond said.
“This is the best achievement as over the past 25 years, we have fought to promote our culture, arts, and artists who are living heritage, and those who have shown the powerful role that arts play in our society.”
While he is happy and proud of CLA, Phloeun Prim, Executive Director of CLA, said the main takeaway from the royal recognition is an act of showing gratitude to master artists who have contributed to Cambodian culture, having spent almost their entire lives worked in the arts field.
“I’m happy after I heard some of our master artists say that this is a special time in their life to have met His Majesty. It was unexpected and they felt at peace with him.”
Phloeun Prim said receiving the recognition will have a big impact on CLA’s future and serve as a huge inspiration to begin a new chapter to produce more talents to represent arts in future generations.
“The Royal Audience with his majesty inspires us to carry on our vision and start a new chapter while making history for another 25 years by creating opportunities and supporting those who love the arts and wish to represent our culture,” he said.
Khy Mom, one of CLA’s master artists to receive the Cambodian Decoration of Honour, shared her feelings when she met His Majesty the King.
She used to teach at the Royal University of Fine Arts. After she retired, CLA offered her a chance to acquire new experience by joining the organisation. Khy Mom never gets tired of sharing her knowledge about arts with people. She is proud that she can provide advice and guide the new generation through the power of the arts.
Khy Mom said she is deeply grateful that she had the honour of receiving the royal recognition because she never expected to meet the King in her lifetime.
“As a person who represents master artists, I am honoured to have the chance to meet His Majesty. This is a very special moment in my life. In fact, I never expected that I would have this day. Being involved in the arts and sharing my knowledge is enough for me. But I had the chance to meet His Majesty. That is comparable to going to heaven. I can say that this moment will keep me in peace when I pass away.”
Khy Mom
Over 25 Years of Achievement
CLA is an organisation that has always recognized that arts and cultural expression are vital for Cambodia’s future. For the past 25 years, CLA has been promoting Cambodian arts, supporting master artists who survived the Khmer Rouge regime, and inspiring young people to remain connected to their cultural heritage and express themselves through the arts.
Over the last 25 years, CLA has achieved several accomplishments, Phloeun Prim said, adding that the organisation’s mission was divided into three decades to achieve defined goals.
During its first decade, CLA was committed to preserving and reviving living heritage by supporting master artists who had survived the Khmer Rouge regime. We helped them continue their careers and set up classes where they could impart their skills and knowledge to the younger generation throughout the country.
As Cambodia evolved and the arts flourished in the second decade, our work also expanded. Besides supporting master artists, we began to focus on the next generation, providing them with opportunities, experiences, and inspiration. CLA sought opportunities for emerging artists to enhance their knowledge, foster creative ideas, and develop cultural leadership skills, thereby strengthening their ability to represent culture.
Recognizing that artists need both opportunities and security, CLA’s primary role today involves making grants, commissioning new work, and collaborating with artists and groups to enhance their future prospects. CLA’s role is to fill the gap and address the loophole; thereby strengthening the cultural sector. Simultaneously, we want to encourage key actors in this sector, including independent artists, cultural leaders, grassroots organisations and other stakeholders, to continue enhancing their talents, skills, and support. We believe that this diversity will expand in the future, contributing to the cultural development of Cambodia.
Inspirational Message
Currently, many young people are interested in pursuing the arts. They are creating their own stories in new forms that express themselves in a youthful and creative way. This aligns with CLA’s vision. In support of this, CLA has been offering an increasing number of opportunities to guide and nurture them towards their goals.
Chorn-Pond said that art is the soul representing a country. Through CLA’s work, our goal is to inspire young people to stay connected to the cultural heritage of Cambodia. We encourage them to express themselves and practice their creativity as a soft power to reflect the society they live in.
“I am happy to see many youths interested in arts. The arts are at the heart of vibrant and peaceful societies. Through these young artists’ voices, they share overlooked stories, express unvoiced concerns, and create space for societal development.”
“I also hope our young generation maintains a positive mindset and aspires to progress our culture beneficially. I suggest they delve deeper into researching their own culture, while also create new work to promote cultural diversity and inclusivity in society.”
Chorn-Pond
Similarly, Phloeun Prim encouraged young people to think critically, inclusively, and especially in today’s social environment. From his experience with CLA’s journey, he believes that culture is a social mirror that reflects, teaches, and guides people towards better lives, and that now more than ever diversity of thought and expression is necessary.
He believes that the new generation of artists will play an important role in showing the power of arts in communities, help people express their perspectives, reflect on their livelihoods, and define culture’s role in society.
“Artists are the ones who will make culture and arts flourish and can bring meaning for Cambodian society. I want people to be aware of this and cultivate it, especially our young generation who are pursuing their dream to be an artist,”
Phloeun Prim
Phloeun Prim remarked that the journey of Cambodian Living Arts is a testament to the transformative power of arts and culture. The royal recognition is not just a tribute to our past achievements, but also sets the stage for future growth and development.
The honour underscores the resilient spirit of Cambodian arts and artists, who continue to inspire, educate, and cultivate cultural understanding among the new generation.
