Cambodia marks Culture Day with traditional arts show

Cambodia celebrated the 18th National Culture Day with the show of traditional music and dances on Thursday.

Held at the iconic Chaktomuk Theatre in Phnom Penh, the annual event was presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen and attended by some 1,000 people who are government officials, parliamentarians, senators, diplomatic corps, writers, artists and students.

Speaking at the ceremony, the premier reiterated his call on youth to actively participate in safeguarding, preserving and developing national culture.

"Since youth is the backbone of the nation and the future successors, direct participation from youth in preserving and developing the nation's cultural heritage is essential," he said.

He added that Cambodia was proud of its cultural properties as many tangible and intangible cultural heritages had gained international reputations and some had been listed as world heritages such as Angkor Wat Temple, Preah Vihear Temple, Royal Ballet, and Sbek Thom or Khmer Shadow Theater.

"Moreover, in Dec. 2015, the tug-of-war game was recognized as the country's intangible heritage by the UN cultural agency UNESCO," he said.

According to the premier, the government is preparing to nominate the 7th century Sambor Prei Kuk Temple in central Kampong Thom province and the Chapei Dang Veng, a long-necked, two-stringed lute, for world heritage status.

Hun Sen said cultural properties have greatly contributed to the development of economy and the reduction of poverty.

"Cultural heritage tourism has been growing rapidly, earning millions of U.S. dollars for the national economy," he said, adding that the whole tourism industry accounted for 17 percent of the country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) last year. Enditem