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: Staff Writer. |
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The
infamous map of skulls that has confronted
visitors to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
for more than two decades was dismantled last
month in a short Bang Skol ceremony in which
monks prayed for the dead.
The map had become one of the most famous
examples of the brutality of the genocidal
Khmer Rouge regime, responsible for the deaths
of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians between
1975 and 1979. Toul Sleng, a former high school
turned torture center under the regime, was
the final stop for thousands of victims before
they were trucked to Choeung Ek Killing Fields
and murdered en mass. Former director of Toul
Sleng, Duch, is currently in custody awaiting
trial over his involvement. Once decried by
King Sihanouk himself as terrible for the
souls of the victims whose skulls and bones
made up the map, many ordinary Khmers have
also agitated for the removal of the exhibit
for years, citing the Buddhist belief that
a soul cannot rest without |
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The map of skulls comes downs
at Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
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the proper blessing
and cremation of its mortal remains.
With the Khmer Rouge tribunal still on hold, the final
fate of the remains is still not clear. Some want the
gruesome reminders to remain as evidence should a trial
ever be held. Others wish to rely on photographic evidence
and lay the dead to rest.
On March 10, the estimated 300 skulls and bones were taken
down and placed in specially made glass cases to prevent
deterioration. A stupa has been planned as a substitute
for the map. |
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Well-known
theatre company, Sovanna Phum Association for the
Development of Cambodian Performing Arts, will now
be able to take its shows throughout the Kingdom
thanks to an $8200 donation from the British Embassy.
The group, headed up by Delphine Kassem and puppeteer
Mann Kosal, has used the grant to buy a truck. The
bed of the truck will fold out to provide a ready-made
raised stage for crowded village performances.
Based in Street 360, Phnom Penh, Sovanna Phum has
long held performances of circus, shadow puppetry
and dance. Mann Kosal is credited by many as being
the savior of sbech touch, or small shadow puppet
theatre a form of popular puppetry that was all
but wiped out during the Khmer Rouge years. The
troupe has regularly traveled to the provinces to
give performances, but until now has been hampered
by time constraints and having to set up a stage
at ground level. Now they can negotiate the country
quickly and easily, and ensure more people in a
village can see their shows. Sovanna Phum works
with NGOs to create educational plays on subjects
such as breast feeding, often attracting hundreds
of villagers to watch at one time.
The group’s first performance using the truck
will be at Prey Nup, Sihanoukville municipality,
for French NGO Gret to explain to villagers that
the dike and reclaimed land are now for them to
manage for themselves as Gret has finished construction
and reclamation and is moving on to help other villagers.
The group also performs a variety of dance, circus
and puppet shows every Friday night at its Phnom
Penh theatre. For details on these or enquiries
about buying Mann Kosal and the team's famous shadow
puppets, call 012 846 020 or visit them at 111,
Street 360, Phnom Penh. |
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The National
Election Committee released final results in February's
national commune council elections recently, confirming
a landslide victory for the ruling Cambodian People's
Party (CPP).
The CPP won control of 1597 communes of a total
of 1621.
The Sam Rainsy Party won 13, Funcinpec won 10 and
the small and little-known Khmer Democratic Party
won one commune in Kampot province.
The February 3 elections were aimed at decentralizing
government at the grassroots level.
The CPP has controlled the commune councils since
the system was resurrected shortly after the Pol
Pot regime fell in 1979. |
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The Seventh
Annual Mekong River Swim gets underway again with
the usual splash on April 7 at 9.30am. Competitors
will leap into the mighty river from Preak Leap
Agricultural College, across the Cambodia-Japanese
Friendship Bridge.
The cost to enter is $10 for foreigners and $5 for
Khmers.
Competitors are asked to arrive at least half an
hour early to allow for organization and registration.
The swim has been a popular event in Phnom Penh
over the years, with large numbers of competitors
undertaking the 600-meter annual swim.
Prizes this year for the separate male and female
categories include month-long memberships for Mi
Casa's Sweat Club, dinner for two at the Cambodiana
and The Globe, and lunch for two at the Garden Restaurant,
as well as 12 consolation bottles of Cuvee Flore
French wine.
Alligator Ski Club will provide a support boat and
there will be a free t-shirt for all competitors
who register on time. |
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Suite
B8, Regency Square, InterContinental Hotel, 294 Mao Tse Toung
Boulevard,
Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.
Tel: (855) 23 213 133 Fax: (855) 23 213 033
E-mail:
editor@leisurecambodia.com |
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