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| Cambodian Ambassador to Korea Chring Botum Rangsay poses with the country's traditional clothes at the National Culture and Women's Day event at Urban Plant Myeongdong in central Seoul, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
From food and music to traditional clothes and craftwork, unique elements of Cambodian culture were unraveled in the heart of Seoul as the Embassy of Cambodia in Korea held the Southeast Asian country's National Culture and Women's Day event, Saturday.
The event, held at Urban Plant Myeongdong, offered visitors chances to experience Cambodian tradition and culture through art exhibitions, trying on traditional clothing, sampling delicious cuisine and enjoying traditional and modern performances and martial arts.
Ambassador of Cambodia to Korea Chring Botum Rangsay said she wanted the visitors to feel like they are in Cambodia through this event.
"When you go to Cambodia, we want you to feel like this. Even here in Korea, we welcome you like (you're) in Cambodia. You will receive this type of welcome when you go to Cambodia. I want to showcase that," the ambassador told The Korea Times.
"In Cambodia each year, we celebrate National Cultural Day, which is on March 3. So embassies and consulates of Cambodia all over the world are asked to promote culture and raise awareness about Cambodia ― its story, its people, its culture and its tourism."
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| Cambodian craftworks are on display for the National Culture and Women's Day at Urban Plant Myeongdong in central Seoul, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo |
The ambassador said she chose to host the event on the weekend when more people ― Koreans and Cambodians alike ― can stop by.
"This is not just about Cambodia, but also about the nation we reside in ― Korea. We want to share about Cambodia with the Korean public so that they can understand more about Cambodia."
She said food is one of the key parts of the event as the embassy wanted more Koreans to sample Cambodian delicacies.
A variety of dishes, including Num banh chok khmer (Cambodian rice noodle topped with fish curry), num banh chok ka-ri (chicken curry with rice noodle), num kom (coconut or green bean sticky rice) and num ansam chek (banana sticky rice), were offered during the event.
"We can build a closer relationship between people through food. I hope that (more Koreans) would visit Cambodia because it is a beautiful country with a lot of things to see and a lot of things to do and friendly Cambodians will welcome them," she said.
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| A Cambodian painting depicting traditional apsara dance is displayed at the National Culture and Women's Day at Urban Plant Myeongdong in central Seoul, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo |
Chring associated the event with another significant occasion in Cambodia ― International Women's Day, observed on March 8. Cambodia is one of the countries that designated this day as an official holiday, acknowledging women's accomplishments.
"The government and the public get a day off to celebrate the women and their great achievements. Sometimes, especially in our country in the past, we've failed to recognize the important role of women who were second to the men," the ambassador said.
"Since then, our government thinks that women play a crucial role in building the nation. So that's why we took this day to praise women for the achievement and also promote the empowerment of women. Not that every other day we don't recognize women, but on March 8, we celebrate women's achievements and contributions."
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