"Giant puppets are created by children and include unique educational, cultural or ecological themes such as road safety, endangered species, hygiene, local cultural appreciation and environmental awareness.
Under the guidance of student artists from Phare Ponleu Seplak in Battambang and the project’s Artistic Director, over 500 children participate in fun and creative workshops, which are designed to charge and encourage the imaginations of the children. During the course of the workshops the children’s enthusiasm grows until it bursts onto the streets of Siem Reap on the evening of the annual parade.
Established in 2007 with just over 200 children participating in the inaugural parade, the project had more than doubled in size. In 2013 nearly 600 children from numerous local schools, orphanages, 'street kid' centers took part alongside children from a nearby shelter for child landmine survivors."
It’s
a grand project.
They have been assembling it for weeks, mostly at my work so
from time to time, I would see their progress. But I didn’t realize how much of
a grandiose piece of artwork it was until I saw it complete and out in the
streets.
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| Viewing party at New Leaf Book Cafe |
Of
course, the highlight of the night was the puppets but it was also nice to see
the locals come out, especially the children looking at them in complete
amazement. There aren’t that many parades or carnivals for children (with the
exception of Road 60 night market) so this is a big deal. And it definitely was for the adults too!
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| Nothing like a beer with a great view :) |
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| Boy in a Spiderman costume(?) PJs(?). Adorable |
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| Happy adults |
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| Clown on a float entertaining the kids |
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| No carnival can't be complete without popcorn and cotton candy |
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