Golden Memories . . . celebrating Khmer New Year

A classical dancer conveys history, beauty, grace, gentility and sophistication of her ancestral culture and heritage -- School of Vice

The playgrounds of Wat Phnom had been the most central, favoured location for residents of Phnom Penh during the Khmer New Year celebration in the pre-war era. In addition to traditional games and ritual religious observances at the Wat perched at the top of the Hill festival goers would gather here to enjoy pop concerts graced by nationally renowned singers as well as numerous other entertainment shows and games of chance. Since most Phnom Penh residents today had migrated from the provinces within the last thirty years to fill up the vacuum left by the capital's pre-war inhabitants, the trend in recent years has been for people to leave Phnom Penh and head to their native villages for this important annual event in the Khmer calendar. Many overseas Cambodians with vivid and fond memories of Wat Phnom - like most former inhabitants of Phnom Penh who had survived the Pol Pot regime - who return to this spot on their visit or just happen to pass by it will have been haunted by the place's melancholy air which the cruel and tragic vicissitudes it had endured in recent decades has rendered, and the testimony in memories it still holds to happier, more joyful times spent with loved ones and close companions--School of Vice

Bos Choung - Sinn Sisamouth & Ros Sereysothea

Ongkun Keuy Bey [The Kneecap Game!]

[Described by some as a means for engaging in 'soft flirtations' the games taking place during the Khmer New Year are probably an unmissable opportunity for the youths to put aside day to day restrictive cultural constraints and inhibitions in favour of a little sought-after romance; the chance to showcase one's favourite wardrobe contents; to turn on your charm on everyone and no one in particular, and yes, to see and be seen . . . that is, after all, the endgame of the exercise? Now, you are thinking: what does School of Vice know about such things??! Ah, the lasting scars on the kneecaps say it all... ]

Happy [early] Khmer New Year!! -- School of Vice

Chan Samai & Mith Vanna

Ek Siday

Path Sotheary & Neay Honda