via Khmer Times, 01 April 2024: Prime Minister Hun Manet has directed the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts to seek UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for Sankranta in Cambodia by 2026, emphasizing the importance of preserving Cambodian traditions such as the Khmer New Year. This initiative aims to secure Cambodia’s cultural legacy on the international stage, amidst concerns of cultural appropriation following Thailand’s Songkran inclusion.
Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts to prepare documentation to apply for Sankranta in Cambodia’s inclusion on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List by 2026.
The announcement came during the inauguration ceremony of a stupa at Wat Mony Ratanaream in Pursat City, Pursat province, where Mr Hun Manet emphasised the importance of preserving Cambodian traditions, particularly the celebration of Sankranta or Khmer New Year.
“We should not lose our (Khmer) New Year because it is our tradition from the beginning,” he said, reassuring people of Cambodia’s commitment to protecting its cultural legacy.
Source: Govt aims to include ‘Sankranta in Cambodia’ on UNESCO list – Khmer Times
