News letter of Phare Ponleu Selpak

July 2011

Our warmest regards for all dearest and nearest fans of Phare Ponleu Selpak What has caught PPS attention?
Thtre Du Soleil and Phare Ponleu Selpak
The recreation and adaptation of work under progress of the Terrible but Unfinished Story of Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia have been presented in PPS venue. More than 100 people of communities and partners attended this show the June 25, 2011 after 1 month workshop and rehearsal.

Private opening of Romeet Gallery

Romeet, the brand new professional gallery of Phare Ponleu Selpak, is located road n178 in Phnom Penh. On June 23, Phare Ponleu Selpak organized a private opening for the sponsors, PPS staff and students (around 100 participants). During the opening, we sold four different artworks, which earned around 3000 USD.

(Re)gnrations: Romances

The exhibition of Romance this June at the French Cultural Center, Phnom Penh highlighted work done by students and former students of Phare Ponleu Selpak & Sonleuk Thmey. The exhibition brought together the work of young authors of graphic novels from Phare Ponleu Selpak and artists from Phnom Penh. That was the third in a series of workshops by Sra a comic strip artist. The first of the senses necessary for an illustrator is seeing! You have to know how to observe, to an ever greater extent, in order to nourish yourself with images of the reality of the world that surrounds us. (Sra)

Air France foundation donation

The Air France foundation gives us found to run a new big project. This 30 000 euros amount will allow us to build a new theatre school in our compound.

Scholarship opportunities for students

Six of our most talented students have the unique opportunity to complete their training abroad. Two have been accepted to the National Circus School in Canada, and four will go to a graphic design school in France. We really need your support, please follow these links for more information: Circus students: www.circusstudents.wordpress.com Visual arts students: www.artistsponsorship.wordpress.com

Leisure center

The leisure center was closed for a week in June enabling staff working with the children to attend a workshop on pedagogy and leisure centre aims, organized by volunteer Caroline Grelier. Caroline is a two-year volunteer working half the week for the leisure center and half the week for the Komariek Reay orphanage. Moreover, she is one of the staff from the Phare Ponleu Selpak France association.

Closing ceremony of the students placement

On June 11, 2011 Mr. Jean Christophe Sidoit, acting executive director, participated the closing ceremony of the students placement responded to the invitation of Mr. Executive Director of Phare Ponleu Selpak high school as a supreme guest and join solidarity lunch. The event was held in Phare Ponleu Selpak high school with the honorable presence of director of Battambang department of education, youth and sport.

Visual arts department

A level two student, Ron Ratha won the first prize in the competition organized by Cambodian University under the framework of Japan NGO on the theme of Generosity. The prize is a three day trip to Japan (the programs will cover all the expenses). Ron Ratha will be departing on July 27, 2011. His artwork will also be entered into a further international competition in Japan for another international prize. Two other visual arts students, Chhoeunn Channy year four, and Korn Keoun year two, won a painting competition arranged by the International University in collaboration with ADRA Cambodia on topic:

The World No Smoke of Cigarette. The competition involved around 200 competitors from different places from Cambodia. Our two visual arts student receive the first and second prize, each winning a prize of 150 USD.

Circus department

A performance by group four, led by Xavier Gobin, has toured around Cambodia. They performed in several places included at the Fte de la musique and private show at Bantey Samre for 20 Vietnamese people. This June we were honored to welcome Ms. Kae Burke American arial silk artists, as a volunteer for three weeks at the circus department. She worked closely with five students teaching them What is coming up? - The departure of the director of the visual arts school Srey Bandol is joining a research program in New York. - Two circus students will be going to Canada to join a famous circus school!