SIEM REAP: Angkor Sankranta is finally returning after being suspended for four years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with 2023 also marking the festival's 10th anniversary.

The Chairman of the 'My Village Project' under Angkor Sankranta 2023, Sok Sangvar, has shared that this year’s festival will feature many big projects under the theme "Dream and Hope”, specifically chosen for the festival's 10th anniversary.

From 13-16 April 2023, during the Khmer New Year, Siem Reap will host the Angkor Sankranta festival and organize events at six different areas: at the Angkor Wat complex, the Terrace of the Elephants, Angkor Kyung Yu, Pub Street, the garden in front of the Royal Palace, and on the banks of the Siem Reap River.

The returning festival will feature a variety of cultural scenes and events such as traditional Khmer games, dances, reenactments of historical life, a showcase of different traditional Khmer houses from the past, including the popular ‘Millionaire House’, an art gallery, a Khmer dessert house and an almshouse. As in previous years, there will also be giant object installations set up around festival grounds depicting objects such as chess pieces, a bamboo sieve, bamboo containers, a Chapei dang veng, bird nests, palm leaf hats, a Hanuman mask, and star lanterns.

One of the special events planned for Angkor Sankranta 2023 is an event to once again break the world record for most people dancing the Madison at one time, a record which Cambodia previously broke in 2015.

Events that will take place on the banks of the Siem Reap River include water activities, food stalls, exhibitions and concert performances on the water.

Since Cambodia is hosting two major sporting events in 2023 — the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games — Angkor Sankranta will also help to promote these events with many sports and leisure activities planned for before and during the festival.

Angkor Sankranta will be even more exciting for visitors in 2023 as there will be a number of new activities and attractions planned, such as a wishing tree where visitors can pray and ask for their heart's desires, several food exhibitions at Neary Roth garden, meditation ceremonies around the Angkor Wat temples, photo exhibitions, street circus performances and other small street music stages as well.

The Union Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) is the main organizer of Angkor Sankranta 2023, which will celebrate the Khmer New Year, commemorate the 10th anniversary of the festival, and also highlight the cultural heritage, traditions and artistic works of Khmer ancestors in and around the Angkor archaeological park.

The President of the UYFC, Hun Many, emphasized that he will organize this year’s Angkor Sankranta to be an international event that will strengthen friendship and solidarity between Cambodia and other countries in the world, provide opportunities for young people and allow national and international tourism to explore the prosperity, diversity, culture, civilization, customs, traditions and religions of the Khmer Empire to the present day. The festival will contribute significantly to the preservation of national heritage and will continue to enhance Cambodia's prestige on the international stage.

Prime Minister Hun Sen first announced the return of Angkor Sankranta in 2023, at the closing ceremony of the 3rd National Games and 1st National Para Games on 30 November 2022.