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A photo at Angkor Wat by gyaista sampurno
Have you been in Cambodia? What kind of attachments do you have with Cambodia after visiting this country?
First question should be simple YES/NO
The second one might be a bit difficult and sometime we can’t find words to express.
I am Cambodian. For many times I have been asked if I am Cambodian. YES ! I am Cambodian. I was born in little small village where people got no idea what www means.
I went to my hometown last weekend. I met and old friend that I hardly remember his name. He remember me so well. I am not sure if one day he visit this blog but I would like to thank him for all his welcome and hospitality he have done with me.
I got many attachments with Cambodia. It appears as a natural affection. Because Cambodia is my country.
But how about those white men, those that we call “Barang” what are the attachments do they have with Cambodia?
I recently found two projects that lead by the white men.
The Vanderbilt Republic: “The Mechanical”
Project by George Del Barrio
About this project
THE VANDERBILT REPUBLIC is non-profit creative agency that partners with arts/culture/human justice organizations to assist in the realization of their goals.
A “MECHANICAL” is a prepress proofing tool, and this one was made as part of the process of creating the top-tier reward from our last, record-setting project.
All funds raised from this project will go towards the processing of the 1,600 sheets of 4” x 5” film we brought back from Cambodia. Resident within each of these unprocessed sheets are the building blocks of an entirely new kind of iconography.
CAMBODIAN LIVING ARTS (CLA) is our current partner organization. The CLA has the vision that:
By the year 2020, Cambodia will experience a cultural renaissance so dynamic that the arts have become the country’s international signature.
To guarantee this, we staged a 6-week, large-format, film-based shoot in Cambodia, applying professional-grade creative concepts and solutions to the formulation of a new Cambodian iconography. Our plan is to make the CLA’s vision a concrete reality, and sooner than 2020, by harnessing the power of the photograph.
The project got $5,356 pledged of $5,000 goal.
“Neak Ta” - supporting experimental arts and music in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Project by David Gunn
About This Project
I already mentioned in my previous post Neak Ta – A Project That We Should Join
Now the project got $1,360 pledged of $2,500 goal, more than 50% funded. Hope you can contribute to this wonderful project as well. All my best wish to the success of the project.
How about you? What kind of attachment do you have with Cambodia?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello,
really a interesting and thoughtful question. Made me think and ponder. In fact I am, what you call a “Barang”.
Hard to describe my attachment with Cambodia. First of all I felt attached to a Cambodian family and their child, which I support in there environment through monthly donations to a NGO, who is working in there village to build up infrastructure, schools and much more. So I became curious, to visit Cambodia, to understand at least a little bit better the culture, its history and the circumstances people living with.
And on my first trip to Cambodia I had a experience I never felt before on all my journey, while the plane was approaching the airport in Phnom Penh and I was looking out of the window, I had all of a sudden a very, very strong feeling of coming home, I mean really home. And even although, at least in this life, I never been to Cambodia before. This experience and many other who followed, made Cambodia a home to me. Since this first trip many others followed, at least every three months I try to be in Cambodia and I feel deeply attached but also touched by its people and culture. And finally the second reason for a very special attachment to Cambodia, came into my life by meeting my partner and Love there, with whom since than I share my life.
Best wishes from Germany
JW
.-= JW´s last blog ..German Minister Launches Attack on Facebook =-.
thank you JW for your wonderful comment to share your relation that you have with Cambodia.
it’s very interesting to read. i wish you and the one you love a happy Khmer new year.
Thank you JW for contributing to our community and by your donation, it help to promote their life.
@Khmerbird Keep up your work, brother!
I recently sent you the information about my son Ciaran, who was born in Cambodia in November, 1998. Last year (2008-2009) when Ciaran reached 11 years old, we took him to Cambodia to search for any family he has there. we could not find anyone. As a result of him seeing his country, he said he is very proud to be Cambodian. We visited SiemReap, Phnom Penh, and Sihanoukville. We visited Kompong Speu orphanage where he used to be as a baby. He met the people and also a boy that we are priviledged to support each year. We as a family found the Cambodian people to be friendly, hard working, and smiling most of the time. Ciaran is in the sixth grade in school and he is a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He is an instructor. when he graduates from school in 3 years, we will be returning to Cambodia. By the way, he has the Cambodian Flag in the front of our house with the American Flag
Hi Charlie,
apology that i didn’t have time to explore what you have sent to me. i will do it somewhere this weekend.
thank for sharing with us about your son. i wish he could find his family very soon.
Yes, I have been to Cambodia. It was back in Feb 2008 when I buried my father in his hometown Chandrey, Svay Rieng at the family stupa. I met my whole Cambodian family there inclusive my grandmother. I’d wish to be there just more often cuz I love my family. Especially my cousin I support with money that she can study (as only girl in a family of 6 children …)
Djem reab lia, Devi
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