International Arts Festival 2011

By Tim Vutha

The University of Cambodia (UC) organized the 7th International High School Arts Festival 2011 for Cambodia on June 4 and hosted the prize bestowing ceremony on June 11. Five pieces were selected to represent Cambodia in the International High School Arts Festival in Tokyo, Japan.

H.E. Samraing Kamsan, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, and Por Malis posed for a picture with students who entered the arts festival.

Sixty-four students from various high schools were selected to participate in the competition at UC. The selection committee was comprised of representatives from three institutions: 1) Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts; 2) Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports; and 3) UC. Candidates’ art pieces were judged on artistic talent and connection to the themes.

Ron Ratha from Pheah Monivong Secondary School in Battambong Province won First Place for his painting on the topic of “Promotion of Generosity and Humanity,” and was awarded 2 million riels and a certificate. 

As the winner of the competition, he has been invited to showcase his painting at “The International High School Arts Festival” in an all-expense paid trip to Japan. The Festival, organized by the International Foundation for Arts and Culture of Japan (IFAC), will take place from July 27-31 and will exhibit the winning art pieces from high school students from around the world. Artwork from professional artists from Japan and around the world will also be displayed.

Second Place was awarded to Ti Hong Leng from Chbar Ampov High School for his painting on the topic “Thought on New World Order.” He was awarded 1.6 million riels and a certificate. For her painting on “Peace Safeguarding and Development,” Khem Sok Sreymean from Hun Sen Chom Bok High School in Kompong Speu won Third Place and was awarded 1.2 million riels and a certificate. Soth Sokkheang, from Phnom Penh, won Fourth Place for his picture on “Preservation and Protection of Cultural Heritage.” Another Phnom Penh student, Leang Engsea from Bak Touk High School, also painted on the topic of “Preservation and Protection of Cultural Heritage” and earned the distinction of Fifth Place.

The top five art pieces will be sent to compete in the Arts Festival in Japan.

Students working on their art pieces during the competition

     H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, UC President and Adviser to Samdech Techo Prime Minister, said during his keynote address at the prize bestowing ceremony that he appreciated the many talented candidates who participated in the competition this year. He continued to say that it was an honor to have five art pieces by Cambodian youngsters exposed in an international art competition and that he sincerely hopes one of the pieces will win a prize at the Arts Festival. No Cambodian art piece has ever won in the past competitions.

The University plans to compile all of the art pieces created during the arts festival at UC into one book, in honor of the young artists. Next year, Dr. Kao also plans to offer the top three winners full scholarships to pursue their undergraduate studies at UC.

The winners of the art competition displayed their artwork (from left to right are the First Place, Second Place, and Third Place winners).

First place winner Ron Ratha thanked IFAC for the opportunity to compete and for initiating a cultural preservation campaign for the arts. He also thanked UC for organizing this in Cambodia and said that, “Drawing art is the Cambodian soul and identity.”

The High School Arts Festival in Cambodia is open to all high schools students aged 15 to 18 and occurs annually, alongside the International High School Arts Festival in Japan. This is the seventh year the University has hosted the event in Cambodia.

Source: UC Bulletin June 2011, Page 4