Catch up on everything that’s happening at Phare Ponleu Selpak we work to change lives through the arts in Battambang, Cambodia.
Sovanita’s Story: How Phare Kindergarten Cultivated an Early Love of the Arts
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...
Empowering Futures: How Phare’s Lunch Support Program Makes a Difference
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...
Celebrating Pchum Ben at Phare: When the Living Honour Their Ancestors
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...
The Water Festival in Battambang: Phare Ponleu Selpak’s role in cultural revitalization
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...
Dancing Toward a Fairer Future: A New Path for Young Female Dancers at Phare Ponleu Selpak
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...
From Battambang to Cirque du Soleil: SOK Dina’s Journey to Becoming Cirque’s First Cambodian Performer
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...
![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-e1719826361206-400x250.jpg)
Pride Month Interview: How Trans Student Sarann Found Her Place as a Khmer Dancer at Phare Ponleu Selpak [Video]
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...
![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-400x250.jpg)
Meet the Volunteers of Phare Ponleu Selpak: Soree KIM, Communications & Marketing Intern [Video]
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...
Phare Alumni Success Story: Meet LY Vanthan, the Music Pop Star of Cambodia
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...
![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-400x250.jpg)
Meet the Volunteers of Phare Ponleu Selpak: Eliot WITHERSPOON, Communications & Marketing Intern [Video]
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...
Khmer New Year: How Phare Kindergarten Celebrated Songkran
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...
Happy World Circus Day from Phare Ponleu Selpak!
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...
Prepare Yourself: Tini Tinou International Circus Festival Returns to Battambang This November – for Its Biggest Edition Yet!
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...
Responsible Volunteering: What Is It & Why Does It Matter?
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...
Meet CHHAI Bunsorng, Student Services Supervisor on the Phare Social Support Team
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 Support...
30 Years of Phare Ponleu Selpak: How We’re Celebrating 30 Years of the Brightness of the Arts All Year Long
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...
Meet the Volunteers of Phare Ponleu Selpak: Olivia AUDO, Communications & Marketing Intern
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...
Celebrating 30 Years of Phare Ponleu Selpak: A Weekend of Festivities in Phnom Penh
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...
Why Do the Arts Matter? A Conversation with the Co-Founders of Phare Ponleu Selpak
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...
Thank You for Making the First-Ever Sangker River Run a Smashing Success!
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)...
Another Year of Shining Bright: Highlights from 2023 at Phare Ponleu Selpak
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...
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