Visakha Bochea celebration in Siem Reap

Cambodian dancers perform to mark Visakha Bochea, the Buddha's birthday, at Bayon temple of Angkor complex in Siem Reap province, about 320 kilometers(199 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, April 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodian Buddhist nuns sit as they hold lotus flowers during ceremonies to mark the Buddha's birthday, Visakha Bochea, at Bayon temple of Angkor complexin Siem Reap province, about 320 kilometers (199 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, April 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodians gather to mark the Buddha's birthday, Visakha Bochea, at Bayon temple of Angkor complex in Siem Reap province, about 320 kilometers (199 miles)north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, April 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodian Buddhist monks hold candles at the famed Bayon temple to mark the Buddha's birthday, Visakha Bochea, at the Bayon temple of Angkor complex inSiem Reap province, about 320 kilometers (199 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, April 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodian Buddhist monks, lower, hold candles as the famed Bayon temple is illuminated to mark the Buddha's birthday, Visakha Bochea, at Bayon templeof Angkor complex in Siem Reap province, about 320 kilometers (199 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, April 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

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The Big Picture: Orange crush

Thursday, 29 April 2010
By Kunal Dutta

The Independent (UK)

Buddhist monks at the Bayon Temple in Cambodia to commemorate Visak Bochea (Photo: AFP/ GETTY IMAGES)

Buddhist monks gather at the Bayon Temple in Cambodia to commemorate Visak Bochea – the day of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.

The celebration, which coincides with the first full moon of the year – and the Buddhist calendar year 2553 – saw monks congregrate at the ancient temple for sermons, chanting and a candle-lit procession.

Situated in Siem Reap province, the Bayon Temple was built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. As well as etchings of the Buddha, one side of it features an smiling face, thought by some to be a portrait of Jayavarman himself. It has been dubbed the "Mona Lisa of Southeast Asia".

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"Teuk Tè" a Poem in Khmer by Sék Serei

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Election monitor says SRP has been left out of Assembly decisions

(Photo: AFP)

Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Kim Yuthana
The Phnom Penh Post

A REPORT released Tuesday by the election monitoring group Comfrel criticised the power wielded by Cambodian People’s Party lawmakers in the National Assembly, contending that all decisions issued by the body during the first year of the party’s fourth mandate were made exclusively by its own representatives.

“The power in the assembly is in the hands of a single party,” the report states.

The authors of the report note that members of the CPP hold the positions of president and vice president on all nine of the assembly’s committees.

Kim Chhorn, a senior coordinator for Comfrel, said the report covered the period from September 2008 to September 2009, and that all activities performed by lawmakers had been investigated.

In a speech marking the launch of the report, Comfrel investigator Sok Pitou said all draft laws put forward by the government had been adopted without amendment, regardless of objections from opposition lawmakers.

“No agendas or draft laws raised in assembly sessions aren’t adopted,” he said. “Even when there is controversy during discussion, they must be finally adopted.”

SRP lawmaker Yim Sovann said he welcomed the Comfrel report, and described it as an accurate portrayal of the balance of power in the National Assembly.

“The assembly is just working to seal every request of the Cambodian People’s Party,” he said.

But Chhean Von, a CPP parliamentarian, contested the report’s assertion that opposition lawmakers had been left out of decision-making processes.

“There is not only one party that governs the whole Assembly, but [decisions are made] with all parties who have seats in the assembly,” he said.

“All assembly members are decision makers on agendas and drafts, so any parties without having a majority voice can win any jobs in the committees,” he said.

However, he noted that members of the assembly never support bids by opposition lawmakers to assume leadership positions.

Kim Chhorn urged voters to play an active role in helping to monitor the legislative process.

“Voters have to not only elect a representative during the national election period, but also to investigate and watch over their activities after the election,” he said.

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Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Long Live Banana Kingdom

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

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Rare Khmer Bronzes To Show in Washington

(Photo: Mekong.net)

An art exhibition of Cambodian bronzes to open in Washington next month, featuring Khmer sculptures and ritual objects from late prehistory through the Angkorian period.

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Wednesday, 28 April 2010

“These bronzes are among the most exquisite expressions of Khmer ideals of religious imagery and ritual implements.”

An art exhibition of Cambodian bronzes opens for the first time in Washington next month, featuring Khmer sculptures and ritual objects from late prehistory through the Angkorian period.

Thirty-six masterworks from the National Museum of Cambodia’s collection of some 7,000 bronzes will show at the Smithsonian’s Sackler Gallery under “Gods of Angkor: Bronzes from the National Museum of Cambodia.”

“This exhibition presents the stunning accomplishments of Khmer bronze casters,” Louise Allison Cort, the gallery’s curator of ceramics, said in a statement. “These bronzes are among the most exquisite expressions of Khmer ideals of religious imagery and ritual implements.”

The works include a rare and highly valued urn and bell, seven diverse bronze figures, ritual paraphernalia and Buddhist and Hindu sculpture.

The exhibition, a collaboration between the Freer and Sackler galleries and the National Museum of Cambodia, explores significant developments in bronze casting, as well as cultural and religious developments that coalesced during the Angkor period into a recognizable Khmer style.

The exhibition will show from May 15 through Jan. 23, 2011, in Washington and is scheduled to travel to the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles in February 2011.

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Officially presenting Académichien (French for Academician?) Hun Xen

The newly nominated acedemichien receives flower from Cambodia's Dr. Chumteav Thom Bun Rany Hun Xen (All photos: Cambodia Express News)

As reported by Cambodge Soir Hebdo on 21 April 2010, PM Hun Xen is now an official member of the Royal Cambodian Academy, which coincidentally, was set up through an order issued by Hun Xen also. Henceforth, the prime minister can also be addressed as Acedemician Hun Xen or in French as "Académichien" Hun Xen. Congratulations to our new Académichien!

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Goldman charges puts Wall Street confidence on the line?

April 22, 2010

America's biggest banks are rolling in dough again. The U.S. President is going straight to Wall Street to pitch tough financial reforms to avoid future financial meltdowns. The regulatory body, the S.E.C., is pursuing civil fraud charges against Goldman Sachs. And some people are crying conspiracy. In a rare statement, the head of the S.E.C. said the watchdog does not "coordinate" its "enforcement actions with the White House, Congress or political committees," re-asserting its independence in the face of criticism."

Extraordinary times continue in the financial world. But what on earth is going on? If you believe one analyst we featured on World Business Today, this moment in the global financial crisis may be an important one. Richard Bove, Financial Analyst for Rochdale Securities, fears this could be the start of a pursuit of major financial institutions that could erode confidence in the U.S. financial system.

Bove calls the reaction to the banking crisis in 2008 "hysteria" and says the Goldman transactions may be complex, possibly unsavory, but they are not fraudulent.

"On one side you have a sophisticated investor who wants to short a bunch of mortgages. On the other side, you have two sophisticated investors who've gone through all these mortgages and decided which ones they want to keep, and which ones they don't want to keep. And they made the decision to buy them. The government is not suing the guy who wants to short, or the guy who bought the mortgages. The government is going after the middleman. What's the logic in that?"

Media reports are questioning the strength of the SEC's case. The agency says it has appropriate evidence that will be presented in court, at the appropriate time.

We should not be pre-trying this case in the media. But the questions the case raises are important ones and the voices on it, divergent.

Did somebody hear Richard Bove defend Goldman Sachs as good for society? Yes, you did. And that derivatives, the exotic instruments everyone is so upset about here, are good for the economy because they help drive down risk? Yes, you did.

It's a tough case to make in this climate, but Bove says Goldman should be defending itself as a business that does "societal good," because it "lowers taxes, and adds jobs and business opportunities." However, because of the financial crisis and these charges it is viewed simply as a bunch of greedy bankers who do fraudulent things.

"The U.S. has to raise 1.3 trillion dollars this year to cover the deficit. It has to roll over 3 trillion dollars in existing debt. Who is going to do that? Are we going to have a bunch of small community banks to set up desks in front of their branches and sell savings bonds at 25 dollars a pop? Or do we need a very sophisticated company that can access capital markets all over the globe to raise that money? And if it doesn't raise that money what happens to taxes in the U.S. Somebody has to make that money."

Of course, the courts will decide whether Goldman did anything fraudulent.

Bove is firmly in the camp of those who believe the government's case is weak, but he's quick to add: "I would never defend Goldman Sachs. I would not defend their ethics. I just think in this particular instance they were not guilty of any crime."

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Officials aim to boost foot traffic between river, Central Market

Fresh decor for Phnom Penh

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 15:03 Chhay Channyda
CITY Hall has unveiled plans to construct pedestrian walkways stretching along Street 130 from Central Market to Sisowath Quay and to place parking areas on the street, upgrades officials said would beautify Daun Penh district and promote tourism.

Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun said Tuesday that the plan, which was approved by Governor Kep Chuktema on March 18, would cost US$150,000 and would take about three months to be executed.

“The pedestrian walkway is the first project that will show Phnom Penh is adapting to become a modern city,” Mann Chhoeun said.

He added that parking on Street 130 would be charged by the hour.

A rendering of the plan posted on the riverside near Street 130 shows that the street will be widened to include pavements and designated parking on both sides between Norodom Boulevard and Sisowath Quay. The same features will also be installed between Norodom and Central Market, in addition to a central median strip, including a garden.

Ek Khun Doeun, deputy governor of Daun Penh district, said tamarind trees would be planted in the garden, and that he hopes the project will make tourists feel safer near the market at night.

“This is a tourist place for both local people and foreigners, and we will open a food court at the market that will stay open past midnight,” he said.

He added that as part of the upgrade, drainage pipes would be placed underground to prevent flooding.

Central Market is currently undergoing renovations funded by the French Development Agency.

Laurence Bernardi, first secretary of the French embassy, said the second of three phases of the renovation was “almost achieved”, and that the reinstallation of stands should have begun on Tuesday. Bernardi said the project would be complete by early 2011 at the latest.

Those who operate businesses along Street 130 said Tuesday that they welcomed the proposed upgrades, but that they were concerned they would be forced to move or at least push back their shops.

“I believe those who sell things on the street will not agree because they have run businesses for a long time,” said Chea Chan, a watch repairer who has a stall on the street.

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Greece crisis deepens on global market sell-off

By Kevin Voigt, CNN

April 28, 2010 -- Updated 1513 GMT (2313 HKT)

(CNN) -- The eurozone faces its toughest crisis to date as the credit downgrade in Greece spooked global investors and raised the specter that the debt crisis may spiral to other European economies.

Markets from London to New York and Tokyo all tumbled in the immediate wake of Standard & Poor's downgrade of Greece's debt to junk status on Tuesday; the FTSE 100 dropped 2.6 percent before recouping losses.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 213 points to below 11,000 in early trading Tuesday before rallying into positive territory.

Japan's Nikkei closed down 2.57 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index ended the day down 1.47 percent. Markets in Shanghai and Australia were also in negative territory.

European markets followed Asian indexes into the red Wednesday. London's FTSE-100 fell but pulled back into positive territory, but Frankfurt's DAX, and the Paris CAC 40 were all down and Spain's IBEX fell by more than 1 percent.

Greek officials Wednesday morning banned the practice of short selling on the Athens stock exchange as a way to keep speculators from hurting Greek shares even more. The ban will last for two months, until June 28, the Hellenic Capital Market Commission said.

The junk downgrade of Greece's sovereign debt came as a planned bailout by European nations and the International Monetary Fund faced increasing opposition in Germany -- the largest economy of the 16 nations united under the euro currency -- and increased rancor in Greece regarding planned austerity measures to reduce the nation's debt, which stands now at 13.6 percent of the nation's gross domestic product.

Q&A: What does Greece's debt rating downgrade mean

The euro dropped to its lowest level in nearly a year in Wednesday trading in Asia, where it fell to as low as $1.31.

The junk rating now makes it much more difficult and expensive for Greece to try to raise money and debt in world markets. Standard & Poor 's also reduced the debt credit rating of Portugal, heightening fears of a "Greek contagion" that could spread to other European nations.

Greek austerity measures prompt strike

"It's like a domino effect," David Buick of BGC Partners in London told CNN. The downgrade increases the likelihood of a double-dip recession "which we all hope to avoid," he added.

"This is a dangerous process," he said. "All the speculators out there -- they're like rats up a drain pipe -- will make those cracks (in the Eurozone economies) into crevices."

After the credit downgrade, the IMF is considering raising its share of planned assistance to Greece by $10 billion for a total of more than $73 billion. But some analysts say Greece will need even more time and cash to avoid defaulting on its debt payments.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that Germany would do what it can to help Greece out of the financial "but also Greece has to do its part."

"Obviously what Greece has to do is a difficult thing, but I think they are committed to doing it," the head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, said in an appearance with the German leader.

More cash for Greece?

Defaulting on its debt payments is not an option Greece wants to consider if it is to remain among the eurozone economies, former Greece Economics Minister Yiannos Papantoniou told CNN. It also raises the chance strong economies like Germany may walk away from the euro as its currency.

Fact Box

"Junk" rating explained

* Standard & Poor's is among a handful of credit rating agencies who gauge the ability of the issuer to repay debt

* Top rating is AAA

* Anything less than a BBB rating is considered "speculative," or in the parlance of the markets: junk

* Greece sovereign debt is now rated BB+, the same as Azerbaijan, Egypt and Panama

Default and restructuring the debt "is the way out of the euro ... [and] will inflIct lasting damage to Greece because Greece will get a bad name and stigma in the markets for years to come as Argentina has done," Papantoniou said. "Moreover, I'm sure that if Greece is forced to restructure its debt, Germany will come and say, 'Unfortunately gentlemen we can't be part of the same monetary union because your paper is undervalued and ours is strong.'"

Papantoniou was optimistic a bailout would come before Greece defaulted on its debt payment. "This will definitely give some breathing space -- but the problem doesn't end there," he said. "Next year in 2011 Greece will have to go back to the markets and be able to borrow at reasonable rates."

Analysts said it was likely Greece would also need more time to reduce its debt levels. "Anyone who thinks they can take that rickety economy ... and pull it around in one year, they're on a different planet," Buik said.

The pace of the Greece bailout negotiations, which started in January, has exasperated some market watchers.

"I think we're already in pretty disastrous territory even before these latest problems arose," said Vanessa Rossi, a senior research fellow at Chatham House. "Having taken ... several months to even get to the point which Greece is asking for a bailout and assistance -- and now we're not even sure if they're going to get it and under what terms --is a real disaster in and of itself."

Kirby Daley, senior strategist for Newedge Group, believes the negotiations between the IMF and Germany are slow because the Greece bailout may turn into a blueprint for future bailouts of eurozone nations. "Greece is setting the standard ... whatever they do there, then they may face the same funding levels for Portugal, Spain and Italy."

Moreover, the risks placed on the credit worthiness of Greek debt may risk investor appetite in sovereign debt of nations like the UK, the United States and Japan, Daley said.

"We've been hearing about these issues for years about our kids paying for our debts ... but now it's not our kids, it's us," Daley said.

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Beck Album at Highest Debut of His 45-Year Career; Latin Music Awards Set for April 29

College student Tim Urban, 20, from Duncansville, Texas was voted off "American Idol" on April 21. That night's two-hour special included the annual "Idol Gives Back" benefit to raise money for charity organizations in the United States and abroad. The list of organizations is available at www.idolgivesback.org. Carrie Underwood, Elton John, the Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys were among the many artists who performed on the show.

In other "American Idol" news, bandleader Ricky Minor is leaving the show after the current season ends on May 28. He's taking over Kevin Eubanks' position as music director for Jay Leno's "The Tonight Show" beginning June 7. Minor has been music director on tours by many superstars, including Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles and Christina Aguilera.

On April 27, Atlantic Records will release the debut album by rapper B.o.B. "B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray" includes the track "Airplanes," this week's highest entry on the Hot 100 chart at Number 12. A second digitally-released track, "Nothin' On You," takes over the Number One position on that same chart. Born Bobby Ray Simmons in Atlanta, Georgia, B.o.B. was signed to Atlantic Records while he was still in high school. He's supporting his debut album on a U.S. tour with rapper Lupe Fiasco.

Legendary British rock guitarist Jeff Beck earned the highest debut of his 45-year career with his new album "Emotion & Commotion." Beck's first new collection in seven years entered the Billboard 200 at Number 11. Its first single, "I Put a Spell on You," is a duet with Joss Stone. Other vocalists on the set include jazz singer Imelda May and opera singer Olivia Safe.

Hanson will perform a five-night run at New York's Gramercy Theatre April 26-30. Each of the shows will feature Hanson playing full albums from their five-CD catalog. Group member Zac Hanson says, "We've been a band for a long time… I think we just wanted to take a moment and reflect on where we've come from and sit down and say, 'OK, what is this band? What has it been?' and play these records back to back before we blaze into the future." Hanson plans to film and record the shows for future release. The band's new album, "Shout It Out" is scheduled to be out on June 8.

NEW ALBUM RELEASES:

New albums scheduled for release on April 27 include: "Party Heard Around the World" by Lonestar, "Fearless Love" by Melissa Etheridge, "Nobody's Daughter" by Hole, "Unmistakable Love" by Jo Dee Messina, "Never Alone" by Jim Brickman featuring Lady Antebellum, "Age of Miracles" by Mary Chapin-Carpenter, "Drowning Pool" by Drowning Pool, "Thank You Mr. Churchill" by Peter Frampton and "The Essential Carole King" (double CD) by Carole King.

MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS:

MerleFest 2010 will be held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina April 29-May 2. The annual festival showcases bluegrass, Americana, Country and roots music. It was founded in 1988 in memory of Merle Watson, son of bluegrass legend Doc Watson. More than 75 acts will perform at this year's event, including Doc Watson, Elvis Costello, Dailey & Vincent, Little Feat, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage and the Zac Brown Band. In addition to the many concerts, MerleFest offers children's activities, crafts and entertainment and a shopping village featuring artisans, vendors, food and official MerleFest memorabilia.

The 2010 Bamboozle festival will take place May 1-2 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Headlining artists include Weezer, Paramore, Drake, Ke$ha and MGMT. The Bamboozle music festival has taken place every year at Giants Stadium since 2003. Earlier this month, Giants Stadium was replaced by the new Meadowlands Stadium.

AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS:

The 2010 Billboard Latin Music Awards will be presented on April 29 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Tito "El Bambino" leads this year's contenders with 18 nominations for his album "El Patron" and single "El Amor." Following close behind with 14 nominations is Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel. Other leading nominees include Dominican bachata group Aventura with 12 nods and Mexican singer Espinoza Paz with eight. Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi and Mexican groups Banda el Recodo and La Arrolladora Banda El Limon each received six nominations. Two special honors will be handed out during the telecast. Marc Anthony will be given the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award for his philanthropic work. Mexican group Los Temerarios will be recognized for its 30-year career with a Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2010 Billboard Latin Music Awards will air in 47 countries on the Telemundo Network.

Lady Antebellum led the winners at the 45th annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, which were presented on April 18 in Las Vegas. The Country trio was named Top Vocal Group, ending Rascal Flatts' seven-year winning streak in that category. Lady A also won the Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year honors for their recent Number One hit, "Need You Now." Because they produced and composed the song, the trio picked up two additional ACM Awards. Other winners included Miranda Lambert (Top Female Vocalist, Album of the Year for "Revolution" and Video of the Year for "White Liar"), Brad Paisley (Top Male Vocalist), Luke Bryan (Top New Solo Vocalist and Top New Artist), Gloriana (Top New Vocal Group), Joey + Rory (Top New Vocal Duo) and Carrie Underwood (Entertainer of the Year). Miranda Lambert is the first female solo artist in the history of the ACM Awards to twice win the Album of the Year category. Carrie Underwood became the first female artist to win two ACM Entertainer of the Year Awards.

TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION:

Country singer Daryl Worley will perform his eighth Stars for Stripes tour in Iraq from April 29-May 3. He'll play some shows with his full band and also several special acoustic concerts at bases in remote areas. Worley says, "Those young men and women are so phenomenal. Because of what they do, we are all very fortunate to have the lifestyle and freedom that we have." The non-profit Stars for Stripes organization provides entertainment to American military troops overseas and provides education to the public on U.S. military history and operations.

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Visakha Bochea celebration in Angkor Wat

Cambodian Buddhist monks carry some food offered by local villagers at Angkor Wat temple in Angkor in Siem Reap province, about 320 kilometers (199 miles)north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, April 28, 2010. Cambodia marks Buddha's birthday, Visakha Bochea, on April 28 in the Angkor Wat complex. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodian Buddhist monks take lunch near Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province, about 320 kilometers (199 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday,April 28, 2010. Cambodia marks Buddha's birthday, Visakha Bochea, on April 28 in the Angkor Wat complex. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
A Cambodian Buddhist monk uses a mobile phone as his visits Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province, about 320 kilometers (199 miles) north of Phnom Penh,Cambodia, Wednesday, April 28, 2010. Cambodia marks Buddha's birthday, Visakha Bochea, on April 28 in the Angkor Wat complex. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodian Buddhist monks head to their pagoda as they walk through Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province, about 320 kilometers (199 miles) north of PhnomPenh, Cambodia, Wednesday, April 28, 2010. Cambodia marks Buddha's birthday, Visakha Bochea, on April 28 in the Angkor Wat complex. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

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"Yuon Knann Knabb Khabb Teuk Tunle Sap" a Poem in Khmer by Sam Vichea

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Art Festival To Showcase Renewed Classics

Students make offerings to the spirits of past generations of artists in the traditional sampeah kru ceremony before the beginning of the Festival. (Photo: Courtesy of Cambodian Living Arts)

Cambodia is preparing for an expansive arts festival in August, one that will bring artists of all ages from at home and abroad to demonstrate some of Cambodia’s nearly lost traditions.

Nuch Sarita, VOA Khmer
Washington Tuesday, 27 April 2010

“Each surviving performer is a living cultural treasure with a unique body of skills and knowledge to pass on. A living library of Cambodia’s cultural legacy.”

Cambodia is preparing for an expansive arts festival in August, one that will bring artists of all ages from at home and abroad to demonstrate some of Cambodia’s nearly lost traditions.

The Cambodian Youth Arts Festival will be held in Phnom Penh’s Chaktomuk Conference Hall from Aug. 1 to Aug. 6, and organizers expect at least 20 different organizations to take part, representing as many as 10,000 young and professional artists.

Song Seng, project coordinator of Cambodian Living Arts, told “Hello VOA” Monday the festival will provide an opportunity for artists “to share and learn a variety of traditional arts forms developed from elder traditions.”

It will also “help generate national renewal through arts and culture, and to provide opportunities for all participating groups to demonstrate mastery of what they have learned through workshops, demonstrations, and performances,” Song Seng said.

Cambodian Living Arts established a teaching program in 1999, encouraging surviving master musicians and performance artists to resume work with young apprentices.

The festival will allow some of these apprentices to showcase work they have practiced for years.

Kong Boran, a student of “chapei dang weng,” a musical oral tradition, said he learned from his father, Kong Nay, for seven years at the organization. The tradition includes melodies that are passed down from one generation to the next, though its lyrics are often newly composed or even improvised on the spot.

Lun Sophanith, student of the “khsae diew” instrument, learned from his grandfather, Sok Duch, for four years. Images of the soothing instrument, made partly from a gourd, can be found on the walls of Cambodian temples dating back to the 10th Century. It was popular with modern kings and leaders, who requested solo performances of the instrument to help them relax.

Sok Duch may be the last living master of the rare instrument, but he now teaches young apprentices. Two of them may become masters.

Much of Cambodia’s traditional culture was nearly silenced by the Khmer Rouge, which killed up to 90 percent of the country’s performers. The traditional cultures were passed down orally from teachers to students, so many skills were not recorded in writing.

“Each surviving performer is a living cultural treasure with a unique body of skills and knowledge to pass on,” Song Seng said. “A living library of Cambodia’s cultural legacy.”

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