Join and Donate to Save the Life of Cambodia Shadow Puppet

Phnom Penh- New project was created by Cambodian teenagers to preserve, enhance the quality about the Sbek Thom theatre is shaking hearts of many people which not only are Cambodian but also foreigner.

According to RFI’s report, there are three types of the great shadow performance arts which are Sbek Thom (big shadow), Sbek Touch (small shadow), Sbek Por (color leather). And this kind of arts also have in other countries especially in Asia regions such as India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar.​ Nevertheless, the special and unique point of Cambodia shadow performance, Sbek Thom of Cambodian, was listed as World Intangible Heritage by UNESCO in 2005.

Nowadays, there is only a few trope which performs Sbek Thom art in Cambodia. So the project called “5,000 Riels or 1.25 dollars for the life of Cambodian Shadow Puppet which known as Sbek Thom art”, is to encourage people donate at least 5,000riels for preserving and enhancing the quality, especially to continue the life of Sovannphum Arts Association (SAA), where is responsible for Sbek Thom art performances.

Master Kosal, the director of Sovannphum Arts Association said, the popularity of this kind is very low, not even to mention about the recognition. The number of performance is decreasing and there is no many Khmer audiences come to see the show at all. Less and less performance call from NGOs and government sector, that’s make the situation of SAA and artists become miserable.

He added, “After I have already sacrificed my own money, my own time, my almost everything for a long time just to see this art form alive for Cambodia and the world, but it is not growing, that’s make me plan to shut it down, and I will go to work as a motor driver”.

“5,000riels for the life of Sbek Thom” is not just the donation, but every single riel or dollar is an investment on artist to preserve and develop this form and to inspire new generation. So if you worry about to lose this kind of great art, please join in this project altogether.

If you want to know more details or interested in this project please go to this link (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/5kriels-for-the-life-of-cambodian-shadow-puppet#/backers).