Phnom Penh Set For Return Of Water Festival 2023
By
B2B Cambodia
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The 2023 Water Festival will return to the Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, following a three-year hiatus since 2020 caused by the pandemic and the cancellation when Cambodia hosted the ASEAN summit in 2022.
Although the Bon Om Touk festival, which is one of the most important cultural holidays in the Kingdom, was celebrated in some of the provinces in 2022, the 2023 Water Festival festival will finally return to the capital and has been scheduled for three days, from November 26th–28th.
In late June 2023, the then Prime Minister Hun Sen said: “This year will be a big water festival in Phnom Penh. There will be two major festivals at the end of this year: the National Independence Day, the 70th anniversary must be big, and the Water Festival must be big.”
Although the Bon Om Touk festival, which is one of the most important cultural holidays in the Kingdom, was celebrated in some of the provinces in 2022, the 2023 Water Festival festival will finally return to the capital and has been scheduled for three days, from November 26th–28th.
In late June 2023, the then Prime Minister Hun Sen said: “This year will be a big water festival in Phnom Penh. There will be two major festivals at the end of this year: the National Independence Day, the 70th anniversary must be big, and the Water Festival must be big.”
A Cambodian Festival Marked By Lights And Colour
National Committee for National and International Festivals have now confirmed more details for the Cambodian holiday, which should also be a boon for domestic tourism and businesses in Phnom Penh. The event is going ahead to give the opportunity for people to join in the fun and celebration of the traditional Khmer festival that has existed since ancient times. This year’s festival will include the lighting of the lantern barges, fireworks, classical music concerts and three nights of art performances,” There have also been requests for this to be celebrated accordingly, with the display of national flags, religious flags, royal flags, banners, slogans, billboards and coloured lights displayed at all official ministries, capital/provincial administrations, departments, schools, pagodas and public parks. Minister of the Royal Palace Kong Sam Ol, chairman of the committee added, “We also encourage the private sector and the general public to take part by decorating their homes and workplaces to celebrate the 2023 Water Festival.”