Cambodia
Phare Ponleu Selpak or “The Brightness of the Arts” is a non-profit organisation working to improve the lives of children and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds, with art schools, educational programmes and social support.
DESTINATION
Battambang / Siem Reap
BEST TIME TO GO
Oct-Apr
TRAVEL STYLE
Cultural Heritage
Back in 1994, the country was still recovering from decades of civil war. A group of young men from a refugee camp came together again to create Phare Ponleu Selpak. They wanted to help reintegrate the children and rebuild society.
In the beginning, the organisation offered drawing classes followed by music classes and later in 1998, a circus was added.
Growing by leaps and bounds, the organisation believes in the power of the arts as a tool for human development and social change. From that, they made it their mission to offer a nurturing and creative environment for young people to access arts training, education and social support.
While visiting Cambodia (Battambang or Siem Reap), don’t miss the chance to attend one of their regular events, cabaret and circus shows. The performers in the big top of the Battambang circus are students in the 6 years professional circus programme.
All proceeds from the tickets support the programmes, such as salaries for the performers, funding circus equipment, and allowing free artistic education in circus, dance, music, and theatre programmes to the students.
By visiting the show, you are funding the next generation of Cambodia’s future performers and artists.
