One thing about Cambodia is that they have lots of holidays and celebrations. There are 24 statutory holidays per year! I found it surprising that 2 days after the new school year started, they are all getting a 3 day vacation for the Water Festival.
There are 3 parts to this 3 day event:
1) The Boat Race has over 100 boats competing with 1 winner per category at the end. Each province sends one or more teams to compete. There are two different sizes of boats that look like huge dragon boats, one size holds about 30 people and the larger ones have about 70 people on them. Boat racing dates back to the Angkorian period in the 12th century and was used to prepare the navy to fight. Women also compete in these races and are in a separate category.
2) The Light Parade is essentially a parade of illuminated floats on the river with each float representing a government agency or ministry.
3) The Moon Festival is a Buddhist tradition to provide offerings to the moon. People decorate their homes and have family gatherings on the day of the full moon which is usually the second day of the festival. Prayers are made for happiness, sufficient rains and good crops.
Although the Water Festival is usually an annual event, this is the first time in 3 years that it has been held. The last time there were a number of people on a bridge watching a concert and something caused a panic and a number of young people were trampled and killed. It was very tragic. The next year there were floods and hardship so it didn't seem appropriate to celebrate and last year the beloved King Sihanouk died a couple of weeks before the festival so the whole country was in mourning.
There has been lots of speculation and discussion since I've been here about the festival because it has been plagued with bad luck. I have learned that most people from Phnom Penh leave and go back to their homeland or visit friends in the provinces. At the same time, the people from the provinces come into the city to compete in the boat races and celebrate the event. The question this year is how many people will attend or will they be scared off? Cambodians are very superstitious people.
Last night, I was at my hotel waiting for Bandol & her son to join me to go over to partake in the festivities when I heard a loud boom, then some Khmer music started and there were more booms. I looked out and could see that fireworks were starting. Since Bandol wasn't due for another hour, I went down to the waterfront and discovered that the parade of floats was starting right in front of my hotel and I had a clear view of the fireworks that were being set off on the river in front of the Royal Palace. I grabbed my good camera and proceeded to try to capture the scene.
There are 3 parts to this 3 day event:
1) The Boat Race has over 100 boats competing with 1 winner per category at the end. Each province sends one or more teams to compete. There are two different sizes of boats that look like huge dragon boats, one size holds about 30 people and the larger ones have about 70 people on them. Boat racing dates back to the Angkorian period in the 12th century and was used to prepare the navy to fight. Women also compete in these races and are in a separate category.
2) The Light Parade is essentially a parade of illuminated floats on the river with each float representing a government agency or ministry.
3) The Moon Festival is a Buddhist tradition to provide offerings to the moon. People decorate their homes and have family gatherings on the day of the full moon which is usually the second day of the festival. Prayers are made for happiness, sufficient rains and good crops.
Although the Water Festival is usually an annual event, this is the first time in 3 years that it has been held. The last time there were a number of people on a bridge watching a concert and something caused a panic and a number of young people were trampled and killed. It was very tragic. The next year there were floods and hardship so it didn't seem appropriate to celebrate and last year the beloved King Sihanouk died a couple of weeks before the festival so the whole country was in mourning.
There has been lots of speculation and discussion since I've been here about the festival because it has been plagued with bad luck. I have learned that most people from Phnom Penh leave and go back to their homeland or visit friends in the provinces. At the same time, the people from the provinces come into the city to compete in the boat races and celebrate the event. The question this year is how many people will attend or will they be scared off? Cambodians are very superstitious people.
Last night, I was at my hotel waiting for Bandol & her son to join me to go over to partake in the festivities when I heard a loud boom, then some Khmer music started and there were more booms. I looked out and could see that fireworks were starting. Since Bandol wasn't due for another hour, I went down to the waterfront and discovered that the parade of floats was starting right in front of my hotel and I had a clear view of the fireworks that were being set off on the river in front of the Royal Palace. I grabbed my good camera and proceeded to try to capture the scene.
Once Bandol and her son arrived, we walked along Sisowath Quay in front of the Royal Palace. It wasn't as crowded as everyone expected. There were lots of street vendors selling a variety of different food items, toys and jewelry. Families and friends were gathered in groups eating and having fun. People bring mats and spread them on the ground to sit and eat. Although I was advised many times to be careful, there didn't seem to be any danger here. I didn't carry a purse or wear any jewelry but the mood was very happy and relaxed. It was a clear hot night with a full moon and it was really enjoyable to walk along without any traffic except for the odd police motorcycle.
This morning I decided to walk along the waterfront and check out the boat racing. It was brutally hot with little shade so I was very pleased to find viewing stands that were for foreign visitors right next to where the dignitaries view the races. The flag at the centre of the stands was Canadian so, I went through the security scan and checked it out. They seemed to just be practicing but it was interesting to watch.
One thing I did notice was a much bigger police presence. There were special police forces walking around with big sub machine guns at 11 in the morning. As the day wore on the crowds increased as people were pouring into the area. Bandol brought her sons over to my hotel to go for a swim and then we were going to go out to pick some things up in the afternoon. We had no problem getting out but a huge problem getting back. All the major roads were closed and the people and traffic were everywhere. I thought I was going to have to walk back to the hotel but resourceful Bandol called the hotel security. They sent a guy out with a VIP pass so that we could get through on the closed roads. We had to wait for half an hour to get it but it was worth it.
One thing I did notice was a much bigger police presence. There were special police forces walking around with big sub machine guns at 11 in the morning. As the day wore on the crowds increased as people were pouring into the area. Bandol brought her sons over to my hotel to go for a swim and then we were going to go out to pick some things up in the afternoon. We had no problem getting out but a huge problem getting back. All the major roads were closed and the people and traffic were everywhere. I thought I was going to have to walk back to the hotel but resourceful Bandol called the hotel security. They sent a guy out with a VIP pass so that we could get through on the closed roads. We had to wait for half an hour to get it but it was worth it.
This evening I was finally able to get together with some of the CLEW students. Most of them have gone home for the holidays but a few live too far away or had work to do. I invited the ones who remained in the dorm to my hotel for pizza so they could watch the parade and fireworks. It was great to see them again.