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 Cambodia has a long and rich tradition of performing arts, which involves folk and classical dance, mask theatre, music, theatre, shadow puppetry and circus, as evidenced on the Angkor Wat bas reliefs. This tradition continued up to the 1960s when the Cambodian art scene was the envy of its neighbours. Local and visiting audiences were enthralled by the creativity and diversity of Cambodia’s artists, musicians, dancers and actors. However, after 30 years of civil war and depression the Cambodian arts scene was decimated. Today the revival of the performing arts is in the hands of a few small associations, one of them being Sovanna Phum (meaning Golden Era), which supports the enthusiasm and creative talent of Cambodia’s growing arts community.
Sovanna Phum was first established in 1994 in an attempt to address the woeful lack of performance facilities, and offer real opportunities for Cambodian artists to make a living through their art by organising performances. As Sovanna Phum’s reputation grew along with its repertoire,  it moved beyond its original focus on the preservation of Khmer arts, and its influence has became far reaching. With the donation of a truck the troupe became mobile and was soon involved with numerous educational projects, touring the provinces with performances centred on subjects such as HIV / AIDS and child trafficking. Today Sovanna Phum has a dynamic network of over 120 energetic professional artists, mainly graduates from Phnom Penh’s Royal University of Fine Arts, with 95 percent make a living wage from their art. The weekly Friday and Saturday evening performances make it the only regular public performance venue in Phnom Penh and the artists perform classical and folkloric dance (robam borane and robam propheni) sbaek thom and sbaek touch puppet theatre as well as traditional and modern theatre pieces.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPERIENCE...
If you are in Phnom Penh on a Friday or Saturday evening Asia Adventures can arrange for you to experience a unique performance at Sovanna Phum’s theatre. Performances include shadow puppet theatre, classical Apsara dancing, folklore and mask dance, theatre, traditional music, circus as well as new creations.  Throughout the week the theatre’s gallery and shop is open where small and large leather shadow puppets, musical instruments, masks, and pictures can be purchased. Or how about learning how to juggle? performing Khmer drum music? dancing like an Apsara? or participating in the ancient art of making leather shadow puppets? If ‘Yes’ to any of these Asia Adventures can arrange the activities for you. Finally, if you are not in Phnom Penh for the Friday or Saturday performances we can arrange a special private performance for you.
Minimum Donation: Information coming soon...
For more information about Sovanna Phum please visit their website www.sovannaphum.org
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