Sovanna Phum

Dear Friends,

The Sovanna Phum association promotes traditional Khmer performing arts.

It has many activities (I recommend their website, http://www.sovannaphum.org/) and in particular a show every Friday and Saturday night. Although I had already seen snatches of "Sbaek Thom", the shadow theater with big leather shadow puppets, I had the opportunity to experience it yesterday night in all its beauty and spiritual atmosphere, with the initial "Samreah Kru" or Master Invocation, a ceremony to call upon the Master of the Arts for protection.

I am eager to come back for the other shows of Sovanna Phum: dance, "Sbaek Touch" (the shadow theater with smaller, articulated puppets, telling popular stories rather than the holy Reamker tale), and more!

Congratulations to Sovanna Phum for their great and vital work.

Joseph