Catch up on everything that's happening at Phare Ponleu Selpak we work to change lives through the arts in Battambang, Cambodia.
Join Us for the Sangker River Run: A 30 km Fundraiser Run (or Cycle!) for Phare Ponleu Selpak
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....
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...
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...
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...
A Place to Create, Belong, and Be Yourself: Inclusion at Phare Ponleu Selpak
At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we believe art should be a space where everyone has the opportunity to learn, express themselves, and belong—regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or background. For us, inclusion is more than simply welcoming people...
Battambang – the land of rising arts
Photo credit: Facebook page: Visit Battambang When people think of Cambodia, Siem Reap’s majestic Angkor Wat or the bustling capital of Phnom Penh usually come to mind. But did you know that every province across Cambodia holds its own rich tapestry of culture,...
Empowering the Brightness of the Arts: The TUI Care Foundation and Phare Ponleu Selpak Partnership
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...
From Refugee Camp Pencils to Digital Styluses: The 40-Year Lineage Behind Skinny Fish
The French Teacher and the Charcoal Pencil: Art as Survival on the Border In 1986, along the baked earth of the Thai-Cambodian border, a quiet revolution began in the crowded bamboo and wooden houses of the Site 2 refugee camp. There were no grand theaters, no...
Phare – Bibliothèque mobile Nomura : L’art, la lecture et des sourires sur les routes de Battambang
Le tuk-tuk (ou rickshaw) vif et coloré qui sillonne les routes de Battambang est un véritable phare itinérant, porteur d'espoir pour le développement des communautés les plus reculées de la province. Lancée en 2019 puis redynamisée avec succès en 2023, la bibliothèque...
Reconnecting with Her Cambodian Roots Through Art: The Story of Diana Houl
For many artists, art is a way to express themselves and share their creativity with the world. For Diana Houl, art also became a bridge that connected her to her family history and her Cambodian roots. Diana Houl is a half-Swiss, half-Cambodian tattoo artist and...
Phare – Nomura Mobile Library: Rolling Out Art, Literacy, and Smiles Across Battambang
The bright, colorful rickshaw navigating the roads of Battambang is a traveling beacon of hope, imagination, and community transformation. Originally launched in 2019 and dynamically revitalised in 2023, the Phare Mobile Library brings books, creative learning, and...
Why Phare Ponleu Selpak Is a Must-Visit Destination in Battambang
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...
The Heartbeat of the Sangker River: Why Sin Sisamuth and Battambang are Inseparable
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...
The Alchemy of the Stage: How Krod Sovannara Transformed Art into a Professional Career
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...
Celebrating Khmer New Year in Battambang: Community, Creativity, and Culture
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...
Teaching art at Phare: a foreigner’s perspective
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 Living Legacy: Sam Monny and the History of Phare Theatre
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...
Celebrate International Day of Charity and Peace: Bring Hope and Healing to War-Displaced Children
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...
Canvas of Pride: Colourful Stories at Phare Ponleu Selpak
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....
Creating a Safe Space: Child Protection at Phare Ponleu Selpak
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...
How Phare Ponleu Selpak Contributes to Responsible Tourism in Battambang
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...
From Visitor to Volunteer: Gabriel’s Story at Phare
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...
The Beating Heart of Phare Ponleu Selapk: Véronique Decrop
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 Comes Alive with Colourful Cultures at S’Art Urban Art Festival 2025
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...
World Art Day: A Celebration of Creativity at Phare Ponleu Selpak
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...
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