Cambodian PM attends Culture Day, urges youths to preserve culture

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen attended the celebrations of the 17th National Culture Day on Tuesday and urged the public, particularly youths, to join actively to safeguard, preserve and develop national culture.

"The day is aimed to encourage the peoples, especially youths, to better understand the real value of national culture, which is the un-dried source for job creation and opportunity for the economic development," he said at the event held at the Chaktomuk Theater with around 1,000 participants.

"I'm confident that, through the day, youths will have more affection for culture and join actively to preserve and protect the country's culture," he said.

The prime minister added that Cambodia is proud of its cultural properties as many tangible and intangible cultural heritages have gained international reputations and some have been listed as the world heritages such as Angkor Wat Temple, Preah Vihear Temple, Royal Ballet, and Sbek Thom or Khmer Shadow Theater.

He said the country is preparing to nominate the 7th century Sambor Prei Kuk Temple and the Chapei Dang Veng, a long-necked, two-stringed lute, for world heritage status.

During the celebrations of the day, artists had performed a variety of traditional music and dance.