If you’re visiting Cambodia, Battambang should be at the top of your travel list—and a stop at Phare Ponleu Selpak is something you shouldn’t miss. Tucked away in the creative heart of Battambang, Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) is more than an arts center, it’s a place...
To understand the soul of Cambodia, one must listen to the voice of Sin Sisamuth. Often called the “Emperor of the Golden Voice,” Sisamouth’s legacy is more than just a collection of melodies; it is a map of the Cambodian spirit. While his journey began...
At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we often say that art changes lives. But what does that actually look like in practice? For Krod Sovannara, it looks like a journey that began with a first-grade dream and became a seat in a corporate boardroom. Recently, Sovannara vividly...
Every April, as the dry season reaches its peak, Battambang comes alive with color, sound, and shared celebration. Khmer New Year, known locally as Chaul Chnam Thmey, is one of Cambodia’s most important holidays, marking the turn of the traditional calendar and the...
My name is Arrow Hargis, I’m an 18-year-old Princeton University student. I have the privilege to volunteer at Phare Ponlue Selapack and teach art to kids. I teach with Lokru Lao, one of the founders of Phare and a former student of the French humanitarian Véronique...
A Creative Path Begins (1996) Every artistic journey starts somewhere. For Mr. Sam Monny, it began in 1996, when Phare Ponleu Selpak was still a young vision taking shape in Battambang. At just sixteen, Mony became one of Phare’s first general art students. Born and...
As we observe the Month of International Day of Charity and Peace, we are reminded of the profound impact that collective compassion and action can have on those most in need. In this spirit of giving, we turn our hearts and efforts towards the families and children...
Every June, countries around the world come together to celebrate Pride Month, a time to recognize the resilience and rights of LGBT+ communities. In Cambodia, Pride Month is not widely recognized, and for many LGBT+ youth, acceptance for who they are remains elusive....
Photography credits: Zoe García At Phare Ponleu Selpak, children are at the heart of everything we do. From the moment they step onto our campus, they enter a space designed to nurture, raise, and protect. A space where creativity meets care, and where every child is...
Responsible tourism is a conscious choice to make a positive impact on the places you visit. Being an aware traveller means protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and preserving the cultural soul of a place. In Cambodia, this philosophy is taking...
What makes a place so special that it keeps calling you back? For Gabriel Monson, a 72-year-old traveler from Australia, Phare Ponleu Selpak became more than just a stop on her journey. It is a community that feels like home. What began as a simple visit turned into...
To mark the 30th anniversary of Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang, Véronique Decrop, co-founder of the organization, reflects on an adventure that has changed lives. She has dedicated nearly 40 years of her talent and commitment to the Khmer community, from refugee...
Battambang, Cambodia – May 9, 2025: This November, the streets of Battambang will burst into life with creativity, colours, and cultural celebration as Phare Ponleu Selpak and TUI Care Foundation present the 4th edition of the S’Art Urban Art Festival. From November...
Every year on April 15, artists and art enthusiasts worldwide celebrate World Art Day, an international day of creativity, culture, and artistic expression. This special day reminds us of how art enriches lives, fosters communication, and inspires social change. At...
Nestled along the peaceful Sangker River, Battambang is a charming town that often goes unnoticed by travelers but offers a unique experience for those who visit. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, stunning architecture, and lively arts scene, this small yet...
Including artists with disabilities is incredibly important to us. As performers ourselves, this marks our first collaborative experience in creating art together. We take pride in showcasing our unique strengths, focusing on our abilities rather than our challenges,...
Do you remember where you were on March 8, 2021? At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we were making history! Four years ago, our artists, staff, and supporters came together to take on a challenge unlike any other—a 24-hour, 10-minute, and 30-second non-stop circus performance....
Growing up in the countryside, MIL Kosal barely saw any opportunities ahead. But with a deep passion for art, he pursued his dream of becoming an animator at Phare Ponleu Selpak’s Visual and Applied Arts School (VAAS). Today, he’s a senior animator at Phare Creative...
This year more than ever, we’ve felt the heartbeat of Phare Ponleu Selpak—stronger, warmer, and more connected than before. 2024 was a year that reminded us of the power of art, the importance of coming together, and the incredible stories we create when we support...
At Phare Ponleu Selpak, our volunteers and interns bring fresh perspectives, boundless creativity, and an eagerness to make a difference. Whether they’re from Cambodia or across the globe, their contributions not only support our mission but also leave a lasting...
Photo credit: Olivia AUDO Over the past year, Phare’s mobile library has brought joy and literary opportunities to children in Battambang. The brightly decorated rickshaw, brimming with books, and the welcoming smiles of volunteers have all become a staple image of...
Sinat, a mother from an impoverished situation, is delighted to witness her 5-year-old daughter Sovanita thrive in the supportive environment at Phare Kindergarten. Sovanita’s passion for art reflects her dreams, making her a favorite among teachers. Phare Ponleu...
At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to transform their life through education and the arts. To make this possible, we’ve developed several sponsorship programs that support children from vulnerable backgrounds. The safety and...
If your mornings were gently filled with the sound of prayers and sacred chants, you were likely in Cambodia, near a pagoda, during the sacred period of Pchum Ben. This essential festival for honoring ancestors attracts thousands of people to temples between September...
At the heart of Khmer mythology there is a fascinating legend: the union between the Indian prince Kaundinya and the Naga princess Soma. Thousands of years ago, Cambodia was an island occupied by the Naga, half-human, half-serpent creatures, venerated as the...
This year, Phare Ponleu Selpak has taken a meaningful step toward creating new opportunities for young female dancers. In February, thanks to funding from the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) we launched a new project aimed at improving the learning...
If you haven’t already heard of SOK Dina, then prepare to be amazed. Dina is the first performer from Cambodia to join Cirque du Soliel in Montreal, Canada. Dina is also a circus alumnus from Phare Performing Arts School. From 2005 to 2011, Dina – and his friend and...
As a trans woman who is a Khmer traditional dancer, YOU Sarann faces endless discrimination. The 23-year-old Battambang native has dreamed of becoming a dancer since childhood, but many times, she’s wanted to give up. Fortunately, Phare Ponleu Selpak provides Sarann...
This past academic year, Phare Ponleu Selpak received two student volunteers from the United States. They have spent around 7 months at Phare and will be leaving soon to start their first year of university. As a farewell, we asked a few questions about their...
It is always a joy to get to interview Vanthan, the music alumni from the Performing Arts School of Phare Ponleu Selpak Vanthan is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, record producer, and instrumentalist. The well-known singer of “Khmer Gentleman” at Baramey...
This past year, Phare Ponleu Selpak received two student volunteers from the United States. They have spent around seven months at Phare and will be leaving soon to start their first year of university. As a farewell, we asked a few questions about their internship...
Every year in mid-April, Cambodians celebrate the traditional holiday known as Khmer New Year – or Songkran – over the course of three festive days. The holiday is rooted in Buddhist traditions and is an important time for Cambodians to get back together with their...
From all the teachers, students, and staff at Phare Ponleu Selpak: Happy World Circus Day! World Circus Day was founded on 17 April 2009 by the Federation Mondiale du Cirque to celebrate and promote traditional circus arts all over the world – and that includes...
Tini Tinou is back! And this year it’s going to be the biggest, boldest, and brightest edition of Tini Tinou ever! Mark your calendars from 22nd to 27th November 2024 for this week-long circus festival extravaganza right here in Battambang – the arts and cultural hub...
Volunteering demonstrates the best of our shared humanity. Whenever we donate time, talent, or specific skills to a community organization, we have the chance to make the world a better place and impact real people in a responsible and meaningful way. And as our...
The Social Support program of Phare Ponleu Selpak is dedicated to improving the living standard of Cambodian children and their families in the community while engaging them in safeguarding children’s rights and well-being. This is made possible by the Social...
Grab a slice of birthday cake and prepare the fireworks, because it’s time to celebrate. This year, 2024, is the 30th anniversary of Phare Ponleu Selpak! The idea for Phare began in 1986 when French humanitarian Véronique Decrop worked as a drawing teacher in the...
At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we are fortunate to work with volunteers and interns from across Cambodia and around the world. It’s one of the best parts of being on our team – you get to form friendships and meet people from everywhere! This week we’re proud to interview...
You are cordially invited to join us for Phare Ponleu Selpak’s 30th anniversary celebrations in Phnom Penh from 1-3 March 2024. In addition to our annual charity gala – graciously hosted by Rosewood Phnom Penh – we are proud to co-produce and co-present two new...
Arts are at the center of everything we do at Phare Ponleu Selpak. Phare’s mission, vision, values – and even its name – are all based on the idea that creativity and artistic expression are inherently valuable. We also believe that the visual and performing arts...
Wow! What a strong finish to the first-ever Sangker River Run, and thank you to everyone who made it such an incredible success! On Saturday 20 January 2024, Phare Ponleu Selpak hosted the inaugural Sangker River Run, welcoming 140 runners and cyclists from (at least)...
With another year gone by, it’s time to reflect on everything that’s happened at Phare Ponleu Selpak in 2023. This past year, Cambodia has still been recovering from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while international tourism numbers have been...
If you’re a fan of circus, then you know that one of the biggest circus festivals in Southeast Asia is returning this year to Battambang, Cambodia: the Tini Tinou International Circus Festival. In preparation for the 12th edition of Tini Tinou, circus artists from...
When you think of Cambodia, it’s easy to think about its amazing temples and ancient ruins – especially Angkor Wat – along with its rich cultural heritage. Khmer traditional dance is a key part of Cambodian arts and culture. In fact, the beauty and softness of...
It’s that time of year when everything from music to movies is arranged in a list and counted down. At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we’re doing the same. The past year has been quite busy at Phare Ponleu Selpak with art festivals, volunteers, star alumni, and more all making...
The campus of Phare Ponleu Selpak is home to volunteers from Cambodia and all around the world. This week, we’re proud to interview Eva Xiste who is from France but doing her university studies in London. During her time at Phare, Eva helped change lives through the...
Today, the world is closely connected, and individuals, communities, and countries live in complex interdependencies. Individual lives are connected not only to the local communities and countries to which they belong, but also to the global population. Because of...
We believe that all children – regardless of their background – deserve to have access to education and to the healing powers of the arts. By sponsoring a child at Phare Ponleu Selpak, you help us provide art programs and teach professional skills that lead to lasting...
Wherever you are in the world, we hope you’re having a great GivingTuesday! At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we’re gearing up for a big challenge: In 2024, we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary all year long with a series of special events, fundraisers, art festivals, and...
Every student who is part of the free lunch program at Phare Ponleu Selpak knows SOM Savoeurn. For 17 years, she’s been the chef in the Phare kitchen helping the social support team by cooking nutritious meals for students in need or who live too far away. This...
Over 120 parents and families from around Battambang gathered under the big top at Phare Ponleu Selpak on 6 November 2023 to witness a special event organized by the Phare Education Department: The Highlights of Educational Achievements in 2023. This gathering of...
If you’re ever traveling to Battambang in October, you might hear people talking about the water festival – or you might find yourself caught in the middle of it unknowingly if you’re down by the Sangker River and surrounded by racing boats and cheering crowds. ...
Did you know that Phare Ponleu Selpak has a TikTok account? Yep, you’ve been missing out this whole time! You might have already seen us on your “For You” page, but in case you haven’t, our new TikTok channel has got everything from interviews to “day in the life”...
Pchum Ben Festival is a fifteen-day Khmer festival that honors the memory and legacy of the seven generations of ancestors for many people in Cambodia. About 60 members of the Phare Ponleu Selpak community, mostly including Phare Kindergarten, practiced and...
The campus of Phare Ponleu Selpak is home to volunteers from Cambodia and all around the world. This week we’re proud to interview KIM Eunkyoo from South Korea who’s helping change lives through the arts across a few different subjects. Across the table, KIM Eunkyoo...
On your marks, get set…it’s time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Phare Ponleu Selpak! That’s right, 2024 is the year that Phare Ponleu Selpak turns 30, and we’re celebrating all year long with a series of special events, fundraisers, art festivals, and more....
It’s time to celebrate art, culture, and development in Battambang! Phare Ponleu Selpak and AFD – Agence Française de Développement – have joined forces to bring a new art festival to Battambang Province, Cambodia entitled: បាត់ដំបងក្នុងក្តីស្រមៃ / Battambang...
LY Vanthan – better known today as just “Vanthan” – is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, record producer, and instrumentalist. You probably know him as the musician behind “Khmer Gentleman,” but did you know that Vanthan is also a graduate of Phare Ponleu Selpak? ...
Khmer culture is an essential source of inspiration for art students at Phare Ponleu Selpak. The architecture inherited from their ancestors is present throughout Cambodia, and is often found in temples and places of religious worship. A Special School Trip to...
The Child Protection policy was updated and improved in 2019 at Phare Ponleu Selpak. In the kindergarten, the program creates a climate of security and trust between students and teachers at school, and between children and parents at home. SOK Mochchara has been an...
Nutrition is vital to the health and welfare of every child. After all, a child’s growth is regulated by the food they eat, and meals must include vitamins and nutrients in sufficient quantities to ensure long-term wellness. That’s why nutrition is such an important...
The tension between Khmer art preservation and development has been growing recently. During the 2023 S’Art Urban Art Festival, there were several discussions about arts and shared cultural heritage. This discussion with artists attempted to explain and...
Earlier this year, Phare Ponleu Selpak re-launched a mobile library program for the children in the surrounding community. The mobile library goes out into the surrounding community every Thursday and Friday to give everyone, but especially youngsters, a chance to...
Changing lives through the arts requires the work of extraordinary teachers, staff, and volunteers from across Cambodia and all around the world. One volunteer we’re proud to have worked with is Juliette DELORON from Strasbourg, France. Juliette has been working...
Earlier this month, on 4 August 2023, was the commemoration of two years since the passing of Lokru Srey Bandaul, one of the beloved teachers and co-founders of Phare Ponleu Selpak. We remember the great meaning, purpose, and vision he gave to the Phare Ponleu Selpak...
Since 2021, every year in early August the Phare Ponleu Selpak community grieves the loss of one of our co-founders, Lokru SREY Bandaul. On August 4, 2023, we celebrated the memory of Bandaul who passed away two years ago from COVID-19, with the inauguration of a new...
What is cultural heritage? And what does it mean (or not mean) to share it with other overlapping ethnicities and cultures in the region? If you didn’t attend the S’Art Urban Arts Festival in June 2023 held here in Battambang, you might have missed out on the panel...
When you purchase a ticket to the Phare Battambang Circus, did you know you’re supporting an entire community? It’s true. The funds from your ticket impact a wide variety of people and programs throughout Battambang Cambodia. But First… Before we dive into specifics,...
You might know about Phare Ponleu Selpak for our circus shows in Battambang or for the arts education we offer to children, youth, and young adults in the community, but did you know we also offer our students a wide range of social support programs? One of those...
That’s a wrap! The 2023 edition of the S’Art Urban Arts Festival was a remarkable success. From 12 to 17 June, the biennial S’Art Festival drew in over 7700 attendees across a wide range of activities and who hailed from around Cambodia and across Asia. After the...
The S’Art Urban Arts Festival is back! Join us on the streets of Battambang from 12 to 17 June 2023 for this biennial festival that introduces the public to urban art forms like hip-hop music and dance, as well as graffiti and mural painting. After cancelling the 2021...
2022 has come to a close, and it is with both pride and gratitude that we look back on all the things we have achieved in this first full post-lockdown year. The highlights are too many to count, but here – in words and in pictures – is our attempt. Guinness World...
Through a series of workshops in the fall, we’ve focused intensely on training Battambang’s public school kindergarten teachers on integrating arts in the education of young children. The first workshop took place back in September, where we hosted kindergarten...
December 18th marked a day we had been looking forward to for a very long time. After months of hard work, we were able to present our virtual fundraising gala “Fight for Light,” a one-of-a-kind musical circus adventure and multimedia love story about...
Cambodian non-profit Phare Ponleu Selpak completed an incredible journey that started on 7 March 2021, when it performed a 24-hour circus in a last-ditch effort to raise funds to survive the pandemic and set a Guinness World Record. Phare was finally able to announce...
Celebrating 3 Years of the Love Does Not Hurt Campaign On Friday 14 October, we held a Mini Arts Festival on our campus called “Today’s Tomorrow,” wrapping up all the lessons learned during the past three years of implementing the LDNH project. Love Does...
Karona is a 19 year old young man from the Siem Reap countryside. He is a student at the Phare Visual and Applied Arts School and the first recipient of a visual arts scholarship from the Srey Bandaul Art Development Fund. “The things I enjoy the most about Phare...
As societies evolve, the difficulties that young people face – and the social support they need – change accordingly. For example, today’s youth in Cambodia have to deal with a number of challenges, including: Scholastic and peer pressure Family breakdowns or...
Current situation Malnutrition still impacts many children in Cambodia. Rice, some meat and vegetables is in their diet but seldom fruit and dairy products, because they are not affordable by vulnerable households. Moreover, Cambodians consume excessive amount of...
Out of the Tini Tinou International Circus Festival spotlight, which took everyone’s attention during the months of May and June, our education team was busy launching the community mobile library. Books have always played a significant role at Phare, engaging many...
On 23 March 2022 Phare Ponleu Selpak hosted a roundtable discussion on child protection and the promotion of positive discipline for children under the topic, “How to Apply Positive Discipline at School”, with seven guest speakers, including Mr. Chhun Ramy, Deputy...
How we are incorporating the arts into everything we do. And why it matters! Here at Phare Ponleu Selpak, we believe strongly in the power of the arts to change lives. And science is on our side! Many studies in Asia and around the world show that the arts have...
It’s been more than a year our visual arts students have been on and off school following the government’s protocol as the pandemic spread over Cambodia. We had shown you back then how the first home confinement had provided Phare Ponleu Selpak students...
« I am a Cambodian national living in the U.S. since 1979, when I moved to Washington DC and joined the World Bank to work on development globally and more specifically to contribute to the socio-economic development of my homeland. Since I retired in 2013, I have...
After the most difficult year in our history, including the closure of our circuses with disastrous impact on funding, we have triumphed against the odds to win four gold awards at the Stevie International Business Awards (IBAs)! Phare Ponleu Selpak has just been...
This June 2021, the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport announced that all schools will remain closed and children will continue learning through online classes due to the pandemic. For rural and less privileged communities in Battambang, it still means a...
Phare Ponleu Selpak is still taking an active role in the “Love Does Not Hurt Campaign”: a three-year advocacy campaign launched in 2020 to push for an end to Humiliating/Corporal Punishment and to promote Positive Discipline in the Southeast Asian Region....
This pandemic has brought the inequality and inequity in education to the forefront. The students we serve suffered greatly with the school closures as most of them cannot afford computers and access to internet at home to continue with online classes like their...
History was made at 08.10 am on Monday 8 March in Battambang, Cambodia when no less than 90 circus performers from Phare Ponleu Selpak took a final bow after a continuous circus performance that lasted 24h, 10min, and 30sec in a stunningly ambitious Guinness World...
Do you want to be a Guinness World Record Breaker? And help Phare survive the pandemic? Then please join us on March 6 & 7 for our thrilling virtual gala and record-breaking Longest Circus Peformance Ever! We want you to join us for ONE EXCITING HOUR, where...
Those who have visited our campus after fall 2019 must remember the iconic « Anapyabal » mural on our circus building, painted by the world-famous Irish urban artist FinDac. After his visit to Battambang and Phare Ponleu Selpak, he made limited edition prints of...
Along with our main programs targeting the youth, we continue to develop greater community outreach projects with « Voice of older people – Amplifying Voice Through the Arts », which aims to use the arts as an innovative tool to raise awareness in the community...
Cirque du Cambodia is a documentary film showcasing the success story of Dina and Sopha, from their teenage years in Phare Performing Arts School until they became the first Cambodians to perform with the worldwide famous Cirque du Soleil. Starting on November 20,...
These are strange times we are living in. Behind the scenes of Phare Ponleu Selpak are slices of life stories, with their ups and downs, but mostly carrying with them the hope of brighter days to come. Listen to Phare voices, round #2! “I knew about Phare since...
After all Cambodian schools closed in March, the Education Department at Phare Ponleu Selpak responded by developing outreach programs in the surrounding communes to provide our kindergarten children with face to face, socially distanced classes. We started off with a...
Phare Ponleu Selpak has had the pleasure to co-organize a day of circus workshops to entertain and bring joy to the children of the « Metta Karuna » Center, a like-minded organization of Battambang Province which provides education and care to young people coming from...
Phare Ponleu Selpak is well known for its circus and arts schools, but did you know it is hosting a professional graphic design and animation studio under the very same roof, whose latest COVID-19 animation movie amassed more than a million views? Phare Creative...
Working in times of COVID-19 can be unsettling. Behind the scenes of Phare Ponleu Selpak, our staff and students tell us about their concerns and their strengths. ” What is happening is worse than anything I had expected. All art workshops, shows, outside...
In these troubled times, our first thought has been for the many impoverished communities in Battambang Province who are counting on Phare’s support. Social support has always been at the core of our mission. To understand the economic situation and immediate needs of...
COVID-19 brought the world to a temporary halt with many communities around the globe in lockdown, and millions of children being confined at home. This new situation presented novel challenges for their parents and guardians not yet familiar with home schooling....
![Pride Month Interview: How Trans Student Sarann Found Her Place as a Khmer Dancer at Phare Ponleu Selpak [Video]](https://phareps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sarann-trans-woman-khmer-dance-student-story-e1719826361206-800x675.jpg)
![Meet the Volunteers of Phare Ponleu Selpak: Soree KIM, Communications & Marketing Intern [Video]](https://phareps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/soree-kim-volunteer-internship-phare-ponleu-selpak.jpg)
![Meet the Volunteers of Phare Ponleu Selpak: Eliot WITHERSPOON, Communications & Marketing Intern [Video]](https://phareps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/volunteering-opportunity-phare-ponleu-selpak-cambodia.jpg)
![Artist Talk: Understanding Khmer Contemporary Art [Video]](https://phareps.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sart-festival-contemporary-arts-battambang-cambodia.png)
![Meet the Volunteers of Phare Ponleu Selpak: Juliette DELORON, Graphic Designer [Video]](https://phareps.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/volunteering-battambang-cambodia-phare-ponleu-selpak-juliette-deloron.jpg)
![UNESCO: Understanding Shared Cultural Heritage in the Mekong Region [Video]](https://phareps.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/unesco-sart-festival-panel-mekong-shared-cultural-heritage.jpg)
![What Worries Us & What Keeps Us Strong? Phare Voices [Part 2]](https://phareps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Capture-decran-2020-10-02-a-16.19.38.png)
