Every year, the capital of Phnom Penh and the provinces hold Sankranta events on the occasion of the Khmer Traditional New Year to entertain local residents as well as national and international tourists.
In some provinces, Sankranta events have been held ahead of the Khmer New Year, while others during the New Year celebration.
The organisation of these events and other entertainment programmes to cheer the Khmer New Year celebration shows the participation, attention, potential and reputation of each capital and provincial administration.
Folk dances, folk games, and religious activities are featured in the Sankranta celebrations to entertain people and allow them to learn more about the Khmer culture and tradition.
Sankranta events are also organised at schools, pagodas, and at district and commune levels, creating joy and united spirit among people.
The Khmer traditional New Year Festival takes place this year from April 13 to 16. During the four-day celebration, businesses and government offices are
closed allowing government officials, people, students, private companies’ staff and factory workers to return to their homeland to celebrate the traditional festival with their family members.
Samdech Maho Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, has announced that Cambodia will submit in 2025 the country’s traditional new year celebration ‘Sankranta in Cambodia’ as well as seven other cultural elements to be included on the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
To date, the country has four sites on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site and six properties on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse