ASEM Cultural Festival to Bring Asia and Europe Closer


Cambodia is hosting a five-day ASEM Culture Festival, an official cultural side-event on the occasion of the 13th ASEM Summit 2021, which will bring cooperation and mutual understanding between Asia and Europe beyond the politics and economy to culture cooperation.

In her speech at the opening ceremony of the ASEM Cultural Festival held this afternoon (Cambodia time), H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, said that the ASEM Cultural Festival (ASEMfest) endeavours to explore the enormous potential and dynamic synergy of intercultural collaborations and artistic co-creations between the two continents, as a flagship cultural platform in the framework of the ASEM Leaders’ Meetings.

It is a public arts festival showcasing artistic excellence and creative collaborations from the ASEM region, she said.

The Festival also aims to increase awareness about the ASEM Process among the arts communities of both regions and the general public, she added.

“The Festival is a manifestation of the ASEM philosophy and value to enhance collaboration and development among ASEM Partners,” H.E. Minister stressed.

“As the official cultural side-event of ASEM13, we have been keenly looking forward to organising the ASEM Cultural Festival showcasing the artistic and cultural diversity that celebrates the ASEM philosophy of enhancing collaboration, understanding and development among ASEM Partners,” she continued.

The events will provide us with a bond of friendship, environment of cultural harmony, positivity, joy and celebration, ideas-exchange with and learn from each other to enrich our understanding the similarities and diversity of our ASEM Partners, H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona said.

The ASEM Cultural Festival titled “Asia & Europe: Cultures Connect” under the theme “Enhancing ASEM partnership through Arts and Culture”, depicts an important occasion and makes a mark in history as we bring the artists from the two continents closer to their audiences across the ASEM region celebrating the spirit of resilience in these challenging times.

The five-day virtual festival offers a diverse range of programming from Asia & Europe including performances, film screenings, hybrid exhibitions and conversations.

The opening event features specially commissioned dance and opera performances. Over the next five days, a mix of music, dance and theatre performances, film screenings, as well as visual arts and photography exhibitions are presented at the National Museum in Phnom Penh and on the ASEM Cultural website.

The ASEM Cultural Festival 2021 was launched with presentation of 29 artistic proposals representing 22 ASEM partner countries, including Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom and Viet Nam.