In the heart of Battambang, a city renowned for its cultural heritage, a transformative partnership is unfolding. The TUI Care Foundation, through its "TUI Colourful Cultures Battambang" project, has joined forces with Phare Ponleu Selpak—meaning "The Brightness of the Arts"—to revitalize the city's artistic identity and empower the next generation of Cambodian creatives.
Photo credit: Supplied
A Three-Year Journey of Culture and Growth
Launched as part of the "Tourism for Development Month," this collaboration is designed as a three-year project spanning from 2025 to 2027. The initiative addresses the challenges faced by local artists in Battambang, a city often overshadowed by larger tourist hubs like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
The project’s core mission is to strengthen cultural tourism and provide economic opportunities for local talent while safeguarding Cambodia’s rich heritage, which was severely impacted during the Khmer Rouge era.
Investing in theFuture: Scholarships and Support
A vital component of this sponsorship is the direct support of 25 Phare Ponleu Selpak student artists from vulnerable backgrounds. The TUI Care Foundation is supporting 15 students at the Visual & Applied Arts School (VAAS) and 10 students at the Performing Arts School (PAS). These scholarships provide a lifeline for students to pursue their passions without financial worry.
Voices from the School:
"I'm grateful to receive a full scholarship. It covers my school fees and helps with daily expenses and basic needs... Thank you to the TUI Care Foundation for making this journey possible".
"The TUI Care Foundation Scholarship has supported me in many ways. It covers my tuition fees and travel expenses, and it also provides a stipend that I can save and use for daily needs such as meals, medicine, and emergencies".
" I'm especially happy that TUI Care Foundation supports LGBTQ+ students like me... Graphic design can help share Khmer culture with the world".
- "The support helps cover part of my school fees and reduces the financial burden on my family, which I’m very grateful for".
Photo credit: Supplied
Bringing Art to the Streets
Beyond individual scholarships, the partnership aims to engage the broader community through:
- Urban Arts Festivals: Two large-scale festivals in 2025 and 2027 will feature over 20 public performances, including circus, dance, and live music, aiming to attract 30,000 visitors.
- Facility Upgrades: The project includes upgraded equipment and artist residency spaces at Phare Ponleu Selpak to provide better platforms for students to showcase their work.
- Skill Development: Over 20 workshops will connect 300 students with 70 professional artists, fostering a vibrant exchange of knowledge and techniques.
A Sustainable Vision for Tourism
This initiative is part of the global TUI Colourful Cultures programme, which operates in destinations like Mexico, Zanzibar, and Morocco to empower local artists to benefit from tourism. In Battambang, which joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2023, the project is helping to position the city as a "must-visit" cultural destination.
By providing professional training and promoting public art like murals and street performances, the TUI Care Foundation and Phare Ponleu Selpak are ensuring that the "Brightness of the Arts" continues to shine for generations to come.
Help keep the "Brightness of the Arts" alive! Share this story to spread the word about Battambang’s vibrant creative scene, or consider supporting local Cambodian artists by visiting Phare Ponleu Selpak on your next journey.
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Explore more blog posts related to: Battambang arts, Cambodian Culture, Cultural Tourism, performing arts Cambodia, Phare Ponleu Selpak, Sustainable tourism, TUI Care Foundation, UNESCO Creative Cities, visual arts, Youth Scholarships
CHAN Rattanakoudom
Chan Rattanakoudom works as the Communications Assistant at Phare Ponleu Selpak and is an English Second Language Teacher. He dreams to be an English blog writer and wants to develop his communication skills. He loves to create and watch traveling videos in his free time besides reading.