JS-CAMBODIA

Water Festival in Cambodia
(From November 25th to November 27th 2004)

According to Cambodia history, The Water Festival is celebrated every year in late October or early November to honor the victory of the Cambodia Naval Forces in the reign to King Jayvarman VII, during the Angkor period of the 12th century. On the other hand, the Water Festival is also called the Festival of Reversing Current which marks the reversal of the Tonle Sap River so that it once again flows south from the Tonle Sap Lake into the Mekong River. The highlight
of the three-day festival is the boat races that are mainly held in Phnom Penh Individual villages build their own boats by hollowing out a log to make a dugout canoe that is rowed by as many as forty people. The prow and the stern of the canoe turn upward and the prow is painted with an eye, just like war vessels on the wall of the temples at Banteay Chma and Bayon. On the first two days of the festival, pairs of boats races each other. At sunset on the third day, there is a big race and every one believes that the river is happy, the fish will be plentiful and the rice crops will flourish.

Besides the Regatta, the festival also includes three other ceremonies:
Illuminated Floats ( Loy Pratip )
Moon Salutation (Sampeah Preah Khe)
Eating of Pestled new special rice with banana or coconut juice (Ork Ambok)

In Phnom Penh, during the day, we can see hundreds of thousand people come to see the boat races, and during night, we can see a lot of fire works being let off in front of the Royal Palace and the illuminated floats, which are mainly prepared by different government ministries, moving slowly to represent the success and accomplishments which they have achieved for the year.

The Water Festival is celebrated to pray to God for happiness of the people and sufficient rain for rice cultivation for the next year

Release of the Landmine Monitor Report 2004

November 17, 2004
Center of the Dove-Banteay Preab, Ang Snoul District, Kandal Province

For the occasion of the Landmine Monitor Report Release 2004, Jesuit Service, together with numerous national and international individuals and organizations, dedicated to ban the use of landmines, control their clearance and to support the victims, have invited the King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni, to the festive celebrations of the release. Text Release1, 2 , More Landmine

The opening was announced by Ms. Sok Eng and after the National Anthem, a poem was sung by Khong Navy, telling the sad story of Duch Sophat, a boy who lost his leg and two brothers to landmines.

Following the very touching song, a welcome speech was held by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines Ambassador Tun Channareth. Then, the landmine survivor Chay Saron presented a sculpture to the King.

The ceremony was especially delighted by the dance, "Ban Mines for Peace", which first premiered at Banteay Preab in 1995.

Sheree Bailey-Landmine Monitor Global Victim Assistance Research Coordinator- held a speech, which was followed by the presentation of the Landmine Monitor Report to King Norodom Sihamoni.

King Norodom Sihamoni thanked in his speech, for the efforts made by Jesuit Service and various organizations and individuals in order to ban landmines and support the victims. His Majesty and the Royal Household of Cambodia are firmly supporting the campaign against landmines since the very beginning of the campaign, they also showed their continuing support by donating 5,000 U.S. $ to Jesuit Service Cambodia for landmine victims.

King's going to visit Banteay Prieb on 17 Nov

The new King Sihammni is going to attend the celebrations for the launch of the Landmine Monitor Report 2004 at Banteay Prieb. The former King Sihanouk signed the Landmine Treaty in 1994 and the new monarch continues to support the Landmine campaign.

There will be a speech held by the King, and he will be the one, launching the Landmine Monitor Report. His Majesty will also visit displays by organizations in mine action, clearance, victim assistance and many people gathered for the occasion will meet the King.

Nov 9th, Independence Day

Cambodia achieved independence from the French colonial rule in 1953 due to efforts made by the former King Sihanouk.

Celebrating the 51st anniversary of its independence, top government officials, such as Hun Sen, and the Cambodian people gathered at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, where King Sihammni participated in the event.