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| Kite Flyers |
Kites of various shapes and sizes, flown by both professional and amateur flyers, served an inspirational treat to thousands of enthusiasts from across the world who gathered at the Bay of Lights in Sihanoukville. Organized by Canopy Sands Development, a member of the Prince Holding Group, the event titled ‘Skyfest 2023’ was inaugurated by Senior Minister and Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) First Vice-President Ly Thuch, in the presence of company senior executives, top officials, and dignitaries. The theme of the event was ‘Khmer Can Fly.’
In addition to world-class kite flyers, many artists and singers descended on Sihanoukville to make the event a grand success with their performances.
Kite flyers representing China, France, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, apart from Cambodia, took part in the event and showcased their talents, which were witnessed by over 10,000 kite-flying fans.
Speaking at the inaugural event, Ly Thuch praised the Prince Group for organizing the event, which reflected the centuries-old Khmer culture and traditions.
“Our nation’s glory is flying high, and the kite masters from the region and from here are imbibing the spirit of togetherness. It is a day of great pride for me and for each Cambodian national. I express my gratitude to Canopy Sands Development and Prince Group for organizing the event with utmost dedication, hard work, and compassion for making this event possible.”
The senior minister quoted a statement made by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan: “We may have different religions, different languages, and differently-colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.”
He said Kofi Annan’s statement resonates with the theme of Skyfest 2023 as nine nations, including Cambodia, unitedly took the initiative to celebrate the region’s collective passion for flying kites.
Highlighting the need to embrace rich Khmer culture and tradition, Ly Thuch said: “For generations, kites have been flown across the skies of Cambodia, symbolizing the great aspirations and dreams of the Cambodian people. The kites flying above us today are a testament to the peace that exists in the nation, thanks to our prime minister’s great initiatives.”
Edward Lee, a senior representative of Canopy Sands Development said that the organizers are hopeful of making ‘Skyfest’ an annual event in the years to come.
Musical kites or ‘Khleng Ek kite’ in the Khmer language were the special attraction of the day. Khleng Ek kites are traditional ones fitted with a bamboo resonator that emits musical tones and pitches from the effect of the wind blowing through as it flies in the sky.
These kites are believed to have a history dating back to the fourth century BC, and the local people would often fly them at night when the wind blows from the north and after the fields have been harvested.
Cheang Yarin, wife of Sim Sarak, the legendary kite flyer who was assigned by the Cambodian government to present Khleng Ek to the government representatives of many countries, said flying kites has been a quintessential part of Khmer culture. She also added that “kites are green products.”
“It should only be made using natural or biodegradable products such as bamboo, paper, palm leaves, and other eco-friendly materials,” said Cheang, a legendary kite-flying enthusiast who is popularly known as ‘Cheang the Cloudstrider’.
Speaking to the Khmer Times, Tha Thearey, an eighth-grade student, said, “This is a great opportunity to learn about our rich traditions. Through such events, we relive the glories of the past. I am very happy to celebrate our Khmer tradition in such a grand style.”
Tourist Sara Owen, from Wales in the UK, said that the kites represented various countries and cultures in the region, “which is fascinating.” She added, “Wales is a very windy place, and kites are our favorites too. We used to fly different types of kites during our childhood. I live in Phnom Penh and now think that I would have missed a great event had I not been here at this moment.”
Drummer Max from Estonia, who was at the event venue to perform as a team member of Kampot Playboys, said he was overwhelmingly excited. “The country is an emerging regional leader in tourism, although I believe that things haven’t returned to pre-Covid levels. Cambodia deserves to be a hub of global events, and I am confident that the country will achieve that milestone soon.”
*Source: Pacific Asia Travel Association communications@PATA.org
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