Cambodian culture on show

Songs and dances will be performed by Cambodian artists in Ha Noi and Hai Phong cities as part of a Cambodia culture week that kicks off today, December 23.
The Cambodia Culture Week, the second of its kind, will run until next Tuesday in Ha Noi and will include art performances, a photo exhibition and film show to introduce Vietnamese people to the traditional folk art and culture of Cambodian people.
The photo exhibition will feature art from traditional daily life in Cambodia and opens tomorrow at the Viet Nam Culture and Arts Centre, 2 Hoa Lu Street. A Cambodian film will also be screened during the exhibition.
About 30 artists from the Cambodia Art Troupe will perform special dances including the Robaim Tevet royal dance, Suoy traditional pan-pine dance, Tes dance, Kandob Ses dance and Chhaiyaim dance.
The Robaim Tevet dance, meaning dances of royal wealth, is the main dramatic art form of Cambodia. It is also known as Cambodian royal ballet or court dance.
The dance and costumes have undergone slight changes and reform, initiated by Queen Kossamak Nearieath Sisowath Monivong. In the mid-20th century the changes were introduced to the general public and became widely celebrated as part of the iconic Cambodian culture.
The dance is often performed during public events, holidays, and for tourists visiting Cambodia.
The other performances will be mainly folk and traditional dances which portray daily life and ceremonies. The Robaim Chhaiyaim dance is beautiful with erratic movements originated from field workers. The dance is performed by farmers to celebrate the harvest.
The Cambodian singers will also perform Vietnamese and Cambodian songs praising the two countries’ friendship.
Cambodia Cultural Week will commence with an opening ceremony which will take place at the Ha Noi Opera House.
The artistic performances will be held at the Military Theatre in Ha Noi and the August Theatre in Hai Phong today and on Friday, respectively.
The first Cambodia Culture Week was held in 2007 in HCM City and southern provinces.