Phare Cambodian Circus

I have now seen this troupe several times and visited their school in Battambang, and I am still amazed.
Phare trains poor Cambodian kids in arts like painting, music, video and circus skills. They have been giving livelihoods to poor Cambodians and spectacular experiences to audiences for over 20 years now, and their fame has grown around the world. I think they are one of the best examples of how Cambodians are melding their traditional arts with new artistic expressions to tell stories of their people and country. Last night’s show was called Sokha, and it tells the story of Phare’s founder as she lives through poverty and the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge to find a life in hope through art. With music, tumbling, acrobatics and painting it tells an incredibly difficult story in a very moving and uplifting way.
 
A couple of years ago, I brought a group of Anjali House writing workshop students there and had them write about their impressions . But the relationship which had just begun then is likely to become even closer as we investigate ways for the two organisations to work together. I won’t say any more about that now, but watch this space for news about that early next year.
 
I am also working with a group of people who are planning a festival of Cambodian arts in London sometime over the next few years. I really do hope we can find a way to include Phare Circus. More people need to see what they can do! And, of course, if any of you out there are planning a visit to Siem Reap, do include a night at the circus in your itinerary. I promise it will be a highlight of your Cambodian experience.