Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 5 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced that the Royal Government of Cambodia is preparing to seek UNESCO recognition for “Sangkran” as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
The premier spoke on Wednesday (Mar. 5) at the 27th National Culture Day at the Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Samdech Thipadei highlighted that the successful registration of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage continues to be a source of national pride, further strengthening Cambodia’s international standing in the arts and cultural sector.
He encouraged the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts to continue this important work and urged relevant ministries and institutions, particularly the Ministry of Environment, to enhance cooperation and initiate projects aimed at registering Cambodia’s natural sites. He noted that these efforts should include listings on both the UNESCO Natural Heritage List and the ASEAN Regional Mechanism List. The premier also commended the Ministry of Culture for its past efforts in registering intangible cultural heritage.
“More than a year since the establishment of the new Royal Government, we have successfully enlisted Koh Ker Temple and the Krama (Cambodian scarf). Now, we are preparing to register Cambodian Sangkran with UNESCO as well. Please continue this work so that the world recognises the efforts of our ancestors,” the premier underscored.
Samdech Thipadei urged the Ministry of Culture and experts to persist in these efforts, ensuring global recognition of Cambodia’s cultural heritage as a contribution to world and human history.
On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei also called on all Cambodians to cherish and preserve their Khmer heritage while sharing it with the world, allowing foreigners to appreciate and celebrate Khmer traditions. He stressed that promoting and safeguarding Khmer culture is a collective responsibility.
The premier reiterated that no one can promote Khmer culture better than the Khmer people themselves. He expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Culture and the working groups dedicated to registering Khmer heritage sites with UNESCO.
The premier had previously stated that such significant efforts should be shared for international recognition. While no one can take Cambodia’s heritage, he emphasised that cultural heritage belongs to humanity, as it represents the identity and legacy of the Khmer people.
Samdech Thipadei reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to further promoting Khmer culture globally, with heritage registration serving as a key foundation. He clarified that Sangkran is not exclusive to any country and that nations with similar cultural traditions have the right to celebrate it. He compared this to Khmer and Thai martial arts, which share similarities. He asserted that Cambodia registers its cultural heritage under Khmer names, and no foreign country has the authority to prohibit it.
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