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    [news_title] => Ten Thousand Revelers See Nations Unite to Fly Kites at SkyFest 2023
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    [description] => SIHANOUKVILLE: Last weekend, more than 10 thousand people gathered at the Bay of Lights in Sihanoukville to celebrate the first-ever international kite festival in Cambodia. Alongside China, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, Cambodia’s historic kite tradition took flight with an aim to educate and inspire.
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    [article] => <p>SIHANOUKVILLE: Last weekend, more than 10 thousand people gathered at the Bay of Lights in Sihanoukville to celebrate the first-ever international kite festival in Cambodia. Alongside China, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, Cambodia’s historic kite tradition took flight with an aim to educate and inspire.<br></p><p>Under the theme “Khmer Can Fly,” Sky Fest 2023 was inaugurated by Senior Minster Ly Thuch, representing Prime Minister Hun Sen.  In his opening remarks, he expressed the importance of the event, saying, “The theme 'Khmer Can Fly' reflects not only the grace of our kites soaring high above us but also the aspirations and dreams of the Cambodian people, as we continue to make strides towards a brighter future.”
</p><p>Amongst flying trilobites, octopi, mermaids and bears, the Cambodian Klaeng Ek stands out as a traditional kite made of all-natural materials that “sings” via a bamboo reed attached to the top. It is one of 27 types of traditional Khmer kites and is unique in design and performance. Cheang Yarin and her husband Sim Sarak are hosting a workshop where people can make smaller versions of the Klaeng Ek and learn more about the tradition. She attends events like Sky Fest to raise awareness about the disappearing tradition. She said, “We have an opportunity to bring our Cambodian Klaeng Ek. It’s a traditional musical Cambodian kite and we bring to show everybody. This is a good opportunity… to fly, not only Klaeng Ek alone, but to fly together with the other kites from eight other countries.”
</p><p>As professional kite flyers displayed their masterpieces across the sky, EAC News spoke with the founding president of the Kite Association of the Philippines, Orlando Ongkingco. His organization is working hard to preserve the joy of kite flying through its “A Kite for Every Kid” project, which sees making and flying kites as a family bonding activity every child should experience. “No child should grow up without going through the stages of making their own kites and flying them, whatever the design may be,” he emphasized. Mr. Ongkingco expressed his gratitude to this year’s Sky Fest for providing a space where people from several countries are able to share their traditions.  He emphasized that while books are part of preserving the traditions, “[The work] doesn’t stop there. You have to do events. These companies [organizing Sky Fest] present a real opportunity to help us.”
</p><p>Hundreds of students from Phnom Penh attended the opening ceremony and many expressed their interest in learning more about kites.  They shared their concern for the disappearing Khmer traditions, particularly the lack of knowledge among Cambodian youth. Seventeen-year-old Hoosokun Nika, said that she’s interested in learning more about ancient Khmer traditions and would gladly sign up for a class if it were offered. She also sees the value in events where people can gather and share their culture. “We should join events like this because they can show us [things like] Klaeng Ek,” she said.
</p><p>Eighteen-year-old Hun Reachborn studies at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and won a scholarship opportunity to attend Sky Fest. Growing up in the provinces, he and his friends made kites to fly regularly. He did not have much experience with traditional Cambodian kites as a child, saying that kids often opted for cheaply made kites of cartoon characters. “It’s a problem that we might forget about [Klaeng Ek] because it’s our culture.”  He sees a solution to preserving the craft using modern technology. “People who know how to make it should make a video and post it on social media: how to do it; how to make it. I would definitely watch it.”</p><p>The event was organized by Prince Holding Group through their Canopy Sands Development branch, which is currently developing the Bay of Lights, a 934-hectare world-class township on the gulf shores. In addition to kite flying, the two-day extravaganza featured Khmer art sand sculpture, water activities by the Cambodian Jetski Team, fire shows, and laser light shows. Mr. Edward Lee, a senior representative of Canopy Sands Development, expressed in his welcome speech, “The Bay of Lights is anticipated to be a game-changer in the Cambodian market, and we are confident it will accelerate the country’s growth trajectory further. We envision providing job opportunities and training for young Cambodian professionals and, in turn, injecting enormous momentum into the urban development and national economy of Cambodia, specifically Sihanoukville.” 
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    [credate] => 2023-05-10 12:05:00
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