Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 10 – Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Ueno Atsushi hoped that the traditional instruments that have been granted will be used not only for study but will also be played at traditional and high-profile events in the future. Moreover, he hoped that the instruments will contribute to the preservation of Cambodia’s traditional culture and will lead to more fulfilling lives for all.

The ambassador spoke at the handover ceremony for the “The Project for the Improvement of Traditional Instruments” held on Tuesday (Dec. 10) at the Secondary School of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh. This ceremony was also attended Hab Touch, Permanent Secretary of State of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Kim Pinon, Under Secretary of State in charge of assisting Minister in the work of the Secondary School of Fine Arts, and Kamsan Heng, Director of the Secondary School of Fine Arts.

“Before the new instruments arrived, the number of instruments available for students were very limited. In fact, for some instruments, there was only one of that type. This meant that, if repairs were required or instruments were being used for an outside event, some students were unable to practice. This lack of opportunity to practice was driving an increase in the number of students who were dropping out of the school,” the ambassador underscored.

Ambassador Ueuo continued, “However, now that more traditional instruments have been provided, I anticipate that the students at the Secondary School of Fine Arts will be able to practice more often in order to improve their technical skills. It is my hope that the instruments that have been granted will be used not only for study but will also be played at traditional and high-profile events in the future. Moreover, I hope that the instruments will contribute to the preservation of Cambodia’s traditional culture and will lead to more fulfilling lives for all.”

Ambassador confided that, same as other facilities funded through other Kusanone projects, these new instruments will be well maintained and well utilized for a long time to come. I hope the music played by these instruments could remind everyone the friendship between Japan and Cambodia.

The traditional instruments have been donated by the people and Government of Japan under the Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects (GCGP) scheme. Since 1991, in addition to large scale loans and grant projects, the Government of Japan has been implementing the Kusanone program throughout Cambodia in order to directly help local authorities and NGOs with the implementation of their projects

Kusanone literally means “grassroots” in Japanese. In the last 34 years, the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia has contributed, through Kusanone Grants, to around 700 projects. 10 of these projects, including this one, have targeted challenges in the cultural and sports sectors. With regard to this project, having received a request from the Secondary School of Fine Arts, the Government of Japan provided USD 38,750 for the provision of traditional instruments for use by students at the Secondary School of Fine Arts.
=FRESH NEWS