Mini-festivals at the district level are encouraged in Siem Reap.
There will be more cultural mini-festivals at the district level in Siem Reap.
In light of the cancellation of the Water Festival and the ongoing conflict with Covid-19, the Siem Reap Provincial Administration is encouraging district-level celebrations for smaller groups of people.
District administrations have been asked to submit alternative festival ideas to the evaluation committee for approval, according to provincial deputy governor Ly Samrith yesterday.
"At the moment, Siem Reap has no plans to celebrate the Water Festival because the city is still not completely safe."
"The situation with the deadly virus is just beginning to improve as some businesses are returning to normal and some markets, as well as the schools that were recently allowed to reopen by the authorities."
"However, we must be cautious not to spread the lethal virus and work together to reduce transmission by strictly adhering to health measures," he said. "While celebrating festivals may be a good way to attract tourists to the province, we are concerned that they will not be profitable and will result in a loss."
Samrith stated that districts must submit a detailed plan to the evaluation committee, which will be approved if possible due to the long period of no festival celebrations.
The Banteay Srei District Administration is already planning!
The Banteay Srei District Administration is already planning a pounded rice “Ambok” celebration at the district’s largest roundabout to entertain and attract tourists.
District governor Khim Finan stated yesterday that the upcoming festival would be held in a micro-style with limited attendees.
"We're not sure if we'll do it because we think if the rice at the roundabout is ripe, we can possibly do the pounded rice to show how it's done and show our Khmer identity," Finan said. "There is still a long way to go." "I believe the rice will ripen around the time of the pounded rice festival, and we will participate with the locals," he explained.
Authorities have already begun planting rice to replace the ornamental flowers that once adorned the province’s largest roundabout.
It is designed in the shape of a lotus, which is also the foundation of the Bayon temple, to convey a deeper meaning.
Final considerations
Mini-festivals at the district level are encouraged in Siem Reap. These small, community-based events should be a way for people to interact and see what else their town has going on besides just the usual daily routine!
The popular cities should promote these smaller-scale events to bring people together while maintaining a sense of community among residents who may live far apart from one another otherwise!
