Synopsis: The Prime Minister launches the cultural exhibition at Wat Botum Park featuring national pavilions and food displays ahead of the main event.
Prime Minister Hun Manet is launching the Village de la Francophonie in Phnom Penh today, signalling the start of a five-day cultural celebration featuring 73 pavilions, more than 50 performances and about 40 conferences and discussions ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit.
The Ministry of Tourism announced yesterday that the Village will open from today until Tuesday at Wat Botum Park under the theme “Khmer Smiles, Francophonie Smiles”, bringing together cultural exhibitions, artistic performances, food displays and discussions involving countries and institutions from the Francophone community. The event will feature five main components, including national pavilions, conferences and discussions, cultural and artistic performances, a general exhibition area and a French food section.
First Lady Pich Chanmony and International Organisation of La Francophonie Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo will join the Prime Minister alongside government officials and international guests at the opening ceremony today.
The opening comes as Cambodia welcomes international leaders and delegations ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit on Sunday and Monday.
Among the arrivals are Rwandan President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame, OIF Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo, Gabon’s Foreign Minister Marie-Edith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbeneny and Bulgaria’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ivanka Tasheva.
Delegations from Canada’s Ontario province and the US state of Louisiana have also landed in Phnom Penh. The Ontario delegation is led by Stephane Sarrazin, a member of the provincial legislature and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Francophone Affairs.
More leaders are expected in the coming days, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Vietnamese President To Lam, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova, Canadian Governor General Louise Arbour, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi.
A replica of Ta Krabey Temple at Wat Botum Park, where the Francophonie Village is set up. KT/Pann Rachana
The Village de la Francophonie is part of the activities surrounding the 20th Francophonie Summit. Unlike the Summit’s formal meetings, the Village is open to the public throughout its five days.
Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said on Tuesday that 56 countries would be represented through the 73 pavilions, with displays featuring national products, cuisine, tourism attractions and cultural traditions.
The Francophonie Summit website said the national pavilions are intended to serve as representation spaces where participating countries can introduce cultural identities and achievements while presenting initiatives related to cooperation within the Francophone community.
Cambodia will set up a pavilion highlighting Khmer cultural heritage, traditional arts, innovation and national achievements, while the organisation pavilion will present information about activities and international cooperation initiatives.
The Cambodia Pavilion is designed to present the Kingdom’s cultural identity alongside its contributions to the Francophone community, providing a national display within the wider international exhibition.
In addition to the pavilions, a general exhibition area will feature 130 booths representing member countries, government ministries, public institutions, provincial and municipal administrations, national and international associations, organisations and private businesses.
According to official programme, the general exhibition component will provide space for participating institutions and businesses to present projects, products and activities, while encouraging exchanges and connections among organisations from different sectors.
Exhibitions will be accompanied by a programme of more than 50 cultural and artistic performances featuring the arts and traditions of Cambodia and other Francophone countries.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts will organise performances, which will include artistic expressions such as music, dance and theatre, as outlined in the official village programme.
Performances form part of the village’s cultural activities, bringing together artistic traditions from different countries represented at the event.
Replicas of three Cambodian temples – Preah Vihear, Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabey – showcase the Kingdom’s rich history and cultural heritage.
The replicas are on display at Wat Botum Park for the duration of the Village de la Francophonie.
Alongside the cultural programme, visitors will also have access to Francophonie food at 30 booths showcasing Cambodian and international cuisine, beverages and distinctive products from across the international Francophone community.
The food village will present culinary traditions from participating countries, while the official programme identifies gastronomy as one of the areas through which Cambodia and other Francophone members will promote cultural heritage.
Beyond exhibitions, food and artistic performances, the five-day event will include approximately 40 conferences and discussions involving representatives of participating countries, institutions and organisations.
According to the summit website, thematic sessions are designed to address subjects including innovation, culture, youth, gender equality, entrepreneurship and digital transformation, providing opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge and experiences.
Discussions will accompany public cultural activities, connecting exhibitions and performances with subjects related to cooperation and development within the Francophone community.
The official website describes the Village as a public-centred event intended to involve young people, women and the wider community in activities taking place alongside the summit.
The Ministry of Tourism is organising the Village in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and the Phnom Penh Administration.
Tourism Minister Huot Hak has projected that more than 100,000 visitors could attend the Village.
Meanwhile, the 20th Francophonie Summit will open Sunday. Cambodia is hosting the event for the first time.
The summit will be preceded by the 48th Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie tomorrow, bringing together ministers and government representatives to prepare matters for discussion among heads of state and government.
The gathering will take place under the theme “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability”, focusing on cooperation among members of the Francophone community and international issues related to peace and development.
The organisation comprises 90 member states and governments, including full members, associate members and observers, and promotes cooperation in areas including education, culture, sustainable development, democracy and peace.
While the main summit will focus on political and diplomatic discussions, the Village de la Francophonie will provide an accompanying programme of cultural and institutional activities for the public.
The Village is open from 10am to 9pm daily.
