Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts hosted a series of events on August 9 at the Royal University of Fine Arts in central Phnom Penh to mark the 58th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The event featured a dedicated space for ASEAN member states and Timor Leste embassies to showcase traditional handicrafts, drawing a large crowd eager to explore the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Vietnam’s pavilion notably displayed traditional crafts from the centuries-old lacquerware village of Ha Thai and Chu Dau ceramics. The atmosphere was further enriched by delegations wearing their countries’ traditional costumes, including the elegant ao dai and the graceful ao tu than of Vietnamese women.
At the evening celebration, Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona highlighted that the event not only commemorates ASEAN’s founding in 1967 but also reaffirms the organisation’s shared vision, unity in diversity, and commitment to peaceful coexistence and collective efforts for a prosperous future.
Minister Sackona noted that this year’s celebrations adopt the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” set by Malaysia, ASEAN’s rotating Chair in 2025, reflecting the region’s united resolve to achieve the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and prepare for the future with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
In the cultural sector, the ASEAN Ministers of Culture and Arts Conference (AMCA) this year chose “Bridging Cultures, Building Futures: Unity in Diversity” as its cooperation theme, underscoring the vital role of culture and arts in fostering ASEAN community building.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts emphasised that this theme represents the common belief that despite ASEAN’s diverse languages, religions, and traditions, cultural heritage serves as a strong unifying force. It reminds member states that safeguarding and promoting both tangible and intangible heritage is essential for preserving identity, enhancing mutual understanding, and building trust among peoples./.
